Zoran Planinic isn't exactly a demonstrative fellow, so if he has some nagging doubt about his future with the Nets, he will suppress it and get on with the business of punishing management for dragging its heels on a longer commitment.

There are only four days left before the Nets must decide whether to extend Planinic's contract by picking up a $1.8 million option, and all indications are that they are going to take a pass -- allowing the swing guard to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The team won't admit that it already has made up its mind, of course, but given that the third-year pro has yet to work his way into the rotation, has never been pursued by other teams for trade ("There's never really been a market for him," one team official said), and can be signed for half that amount if his career arc continues to stay relatively flat, the extension isn't going to happen.

"To my knowledge, they haven't made a decision one way or the other," agent Mark Cornstein said yesterday. "It's something they have to answer, not me. I'm just excited by the way Zoran is playing. That's what I want to focus on. As long as he gets the opportunity, things will work out for him."