It was no secret that New Jersey were trying to come up with a deal to acquire Jimmy Jackson from the New Orleans Hornets, but luckily for Rod Thorn and the Nets they failed.

According to Dave D'Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger, Jackson didn't rule out the possibility yesterday he might have alienated everyone in New Jersey just like he did in New Orleans by refusing to report after being traded.  Jackson, now with the Phoenix Suns, wanted to play for a contender after the Houston Rockets traded him on December 26.

Jackson didn't specifically say he wouldn't have reported to the Nets had they been able to trade for him. But the swingman did say that at the age of 34, he would have had to give a move to the Meadowlands some thought.

"Indications were that (the Nets) were really pushing strong," Jackson said last night before making his debut with the Suns. "And I guess if I really wanted to push the situation, I could have.

"But I still wanted to see my options. With the injuries that happened to New Jersey with Richard Jefferson, and with the trades, they are kind of rebuilding their situation. Almost similar to New Orleans -- not in that same respect, but trying to get back above .500. For me, it is a question of, 'At this point in my career, where would you be most satisfied and happy with?' I think I deserve that, and I took a hit, but I felt it was something I needed to do."

And no, Jackson added, he wasn't hesitant because Alonzo Mourning -- one of his best friends -- was in his ear for six days last week, when the two worked out in Miami.

"Not at all," he said. "Remember, I played in New Jersey. When I played there with Coach (John) Calipari, I had one of my best times there even though the team was struggling. That is Alonzo's opinion about what happened to him in New Jersey.

"It is not like I am saying I don't want to go to New Orleans, but I will go to another team that is struggling. The (goal) was to get to a team that was winning."