The Nets have two openings along the bench and David Aldridge reports that Mario Elie, a teammate of Avery Johnson''s on the 1999 Spurs title team, may fill one of them. The Nets may also look at Keith Smart, the former Warriors coach.  Moreover, Aldridge reports Sam Mitchell may not return to the Nets' bench.

"The Nets haven’t replaced Sam Mitchell on Avery Johnson’s bench yet, waiting for the end of the lockout to make formal offers," Aldridge writes. 

Elie, who counts Johnson among his best friends in basketball, is a Kings assistant. He has three NBA championship rings, two with the Rockets in 1994 and 1995 as well as the one with the Spurs in 1999.

Smart, who won the 1987 NCAA championship with Indiana, was fired as Warriors coach at the end of last season. No word from Aldridge on the Nets' reported interest in P.J. Carlesimo.

• Elie draws interest from Nets - David Aldridge - NBA.com
• Nets Reportedly Want To Talk To Mario Elie - Tom Ziller - Sactown Royalty