Rogers is a Net..turned down more money from Minn

[Guest]

August 14, 2002 -- Rodney Rogers became the final piece of the Nets' puzzle yesterday when, according to sources, GM Rod Thorn completed a brilliant offseason by agreeing to terms with the former Sixth Man of the Year.

As the Nets prepared to formally introduce Dikembe Mutombo, Thorn was working out details of a three-year, $9 million deal for Rogers. The burly 6-foot-7, 255-pound former Celtics forward flew into Newark last night to take a physical that would finalize the deal. The Nets plan to announce the signing today.

In the wake of the Mutumbo trade, which brought Richard Jefferson off the pine to replace departed Keith Van Horn in the starting lineup, Thorn had been hunting for an outside-shooting forward to come off the bench. Rogers, a key ingredient in the Celtics' march to the Eastern Conference Finals after being traded from Phoenix in midseason, fit the bill perfectly.

Jason Kidd, Rogers' former Suns teammate, was instrumental in bringing Rogers to New Jersey for less than the amount offered by the Timberwolves. During Rogers' visit last Friday, Kidd met him at the practice facility and talked the team up. Rogers also spoke with Mutombo, his former Denver teammate, who was in town for his own physical.

The most Thorn could offer Rogers was a contract starting at $2.9 million, since the league's reigning executive of the year had used the rest of his mid-level exception to sign backup point guard Chris Childs. It's believed that Minnesota offered a four-year contract paying between $3.1 million and $3.3 million.

"He wanted the opportunity to compete for an NBA championship," said Rogers' agent, James Williams. "With the moves they've made, he thinks the Nets can give the Lakers a run for their money. He brings to the table an ability to play the 3-4-5 positions. Jason knows Rodney will go to war with him."

When Thorn spoke at the Mutombo press conference, he had already reached a deal in-principle with Rogers, but didn't let on, saying other teams were still involved. He did say that something else was in the works.

"We're trying to procure a player who can help us get to our goal," Thorn said. "We're hopeful of adding an additional player who will round our team out.

"Richard goes into the starting lineup; who are we going to replace him with, his nine points-a-game off the bench?" Thorn asked. "We feel confident we'll be able to get a player who will be able to do that."

Rogers, 31, is a good 3-point shooter, which the Nets needed after losing Van Horn. He's also a solid defender, prompting Thorn to say that the Nets could become the "best defensive team in the NBA."

[Hawksfreak]

Damn This is really going to be a battle in the first game! Him and Nazr coming off the bench! Rogers Vs Mohammed!

[Guest]

Now they have Rodney Rogers/L.Harris/Collins/Williams/Childs

coming off the bench.Damn they have got really talented and

quick!

[Hawksfreak]

That is a great bench I would love to get Aaron Williams!

[Guest]

Williams??Rodney Rogers is the guy we need=)

[Hawksfreak]

I don't think he would really fit in:( Aron Williams is such a good player and a great defender,but I think with our last roster spot if Ira doesn't agree with terms then Kevin Willis is coming back to Atlanta.

[jaywalker72]

I am not going to pretend to know more than PHL, but does this make any sense?

The NJ Nets get Rodney Rogers for 3 years, 9 million.

Derrick Coleman is about to expire as a Sixer, PHL has a lot of money (Iverson, McKie, Snow) tied up in the backcourt already and they trade their 16 million dollar center to acquire a perimeter player in Keith Van Horn.

So, instead of investing a 3 million dollar a year deal in a guy like Rodney Rogers who can play inside/outside and give them a little more security in the frontcourt, they dedicate 6 years and 18 million dollars to Greg Buckner, a backcourt guy who has never played more than 44 games in a season.

Now, maybe Greg Buckner will come in and play a significant role in their rotation, but with Monty Williams already in for two years at the minimum, and with guys like Rogers out there for a similar price, why take such a big cap risk on Buckner?

[Hawksfreak]

He looked really good off the bench in Orlando last year he usally killed us! 20ppg vs the Hawks! Wel,that was in one game but another was 16 and another 10 he is a sleeper in the NBA.