When Mikhail Prokhorov reached agreement on the $700 million purchase price for the New Jersey Nets, sources say he immediately sought a sit down talk with part owner Jay-Z.

Jay-Z is a close friend to LeBron James and some believe he could be influential when the MVP becomes a free agent next summer.

?Prokhorov and his people know that the way to LeBron is through Jay-Z,? one high-level source connected to the Russians and Nets said. ?From the start, that?s right where they?ve wanted to go.?