A handful of Nets are keeping in touch with their agents as the trade deadline approaches.

The Star-Ledger writes that Bobby Simmons, Trenton Hassell, Tony Battie, Josh Boone and Jarvis Hayes have all spoken to their representatives lately.

"This isn't my first rodeo," Battie said. "I've been traded before. I've heard the rumors before. I've heard the rumors and was traded the next day. I heard the rumors and stayed where I was for the whole year.

"You just have to stay professional and carry on in a professional manner."

A number of Nets are being mentioned in rumors because they have valuable expiring contracts.

"We're players, and we like consistency with our jobs. But overall, it's out of our control," Simmons said. "We all talk about it, but that doesn't get you anywhere. Whatever management's plan is, they'll never tell us. As long as we play at 100 percent every night, that's what they want from us."