Vince Carter has the option to see what he can get on the open market, and all indications are that he will.

"It appears as if he's headed for free agency," Nets' president Rod Thorn said. "We'll see what happens. We would like to sign him, if we can agree on a contract."

The Nets have until June 30 to extend Carter's contract or he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Thorn has had some negotiations with Carter's agent, Kurt Schoeppler, but the discussions went nowhere.

Sources said the Nets' offer is between $42 million and $48 million over three years, but Carter wants closer to $20 million per season.

"His public posture is he would like to stay here, but he obviously would like to get the best possible contract he can get," Thorn said Monday after conducting exit interviews with the players. "Sometimes those two things mesh. Sometimes they don't."

According to NorthJersey.com, Richard Jefferson could be packaged for a big man if Carter is re-signed.