League sources said the Lakers, who have been rumored to be a potential landing spot for Jason Kidd, are still very much interested in acquiring the All-Star point guard, and are willing to include anyone but Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum in the deal. The Nets want Bynum, a promising 19-year-old center from New Jersey, which could prove to be the deal-breaker.

A source said Kidd played last night's game with a cracked rib, which was the reason he missed two games before the All-Star break. The Nets called the injury a lower back strain. Kidd scored six points in last night's loss but had 14 assists and nine rebounds.

If Carter is dealt, he went out in style, scoring a season-high 46 points. The Nets are said to be more interested in trading him than Kidd, and because Carter is younger and more of a scorer, the Nets could demand more in return for him. He also has the ability to opt out of the final year of his contract after the season, which could complicate matters.

Both players said last night's game held no sentimental value just because it could have been their last in New Jersey.

"Whatever happens, happens and we can move forward," Kidd said. "We'll soon find out."

"I'm not worrying about it," Carter said. "If it happens, that's just what happens. I'm a basketball player and my job is to put my uniform on and perform for my team every night. Wherever that is in the morning, that's what I'm going to do."