In the 'Zzone

A Move Could Be Coming

The Nets' first official transaction since signing rookie Terrence Williams could happen early next week.

Coach Lawrence Frank has been speaking to coaching candidates and is expected to offer the vacancy Brian Hill left on his bench to someone. Still working on the name, but it's probably not a household one considering all the Nets can offer is a one-year deal.

Carter Holds Camp, Court

As the young kids ran up and down the floor today, I saw one of them make a nice move and get to the basket and score, the first thought that came to mind was this might be the most competitive basketball played in the Nets' gym this season.

We were here because Vince Carter held his annual basketball camp in East Rutherford.  Even though he's no longer a Net, Carter felt the responsibility to run his camp here. Good guy to the end.

It was the first time Carter spoke to the local guys about being traded and in typical Carter fashion he said all the right things.

Joe Knows Yi

Everyone knows it's a big year for Yi Jianlian for so many reasons, which may be the reason his agent, Dan Fegan sent him to Joe Abunassar at the Impact Sports Academy in Las Vegas.

The things Abunassar worked on with Yi is getting stronger, playing smarter and playing more. Really, that's all the Nets have said about Yi - he needs to play.

There is no question he's skilled and at 7-foot, that athletic and 20-something the Nets don't necessarily want to give up on him too soon. But this could be a make-or-break year.

Hill Can Speak to Pistons

The Pistons asked permission to speak to Nets' lead assistant Brian Hill and were granted it today.

Nets president Rod Thorn gave the OK for new Detroit coach and ex-Nets assistant John Kuester to talk to Hill.

The Nets couldn't say no to the Pistons. Hill, like the rest of the staff, had to take a big a pay cut and was re-signed for just one year. He'll likely get a multi-year offer from Detroit.

The Waiting Game

You have to believe next year will be different, that the Nets could be the ones announcing signings on the first day teams can ink free agents.

We know the cap is expected to be less - giving the Nets and everyone else less dollars to spend - but they at least will be in a better position to sign players.

They could this year if they wanted to, but chances are the Nets will let today's signing day pass without making a peep. Something could change, of course, but things have been relatively quiet since the Vince Carter trade.

Rafer Likes It Here

Rafer Alston acted totally different than Courtney Lee did yesterday when he met the local media for the first time. Lee, you could tell, wasn't happy about being a Net. Rafer seemed downright giddy when we met with him today.

No joke. He ue. He was born in Queens, but he always wanted to play close to home. The Magic gave him the chance.

"I’m excited not only to be with the Nets but to be able to play in front of family and friends, and also the opportunity to help a franchise turn things around," Alston said.

Looking For Help

Everything we hear is the Nets aren't going to do that much in free agency, that they're going to wait things out. It's an understandable approach, given the economy and their financial situation.

But I don't believe the Nets are going to sit back and do nothing, that this, aside from a minor tweak, is their final roster.

Rod Thorn wants to be competitive so he's going to try and add pieces and if something big comes along he will do it. Like many of you, the Vince Carter trade looks like a salary dump. If it was, maybe the Nets would have done something with the Cavaliers or the Spurs when they wouldn't have gotten a young player back.