They're going to put some mileage on Mikhail Prokhorov's Gulfstream V this week.
Marc Stein reports that the day after the Nets' brass fly to Ohio to meet with LeBron James, they'll be in New York for separate meetings with Free Agents #2 and #3, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Both players expressed a lack of interest in the Nets during the season and Dave D'Alessandro reported Wade is the only major free agent the Nets didn't think they had a shot at. All that has apparently changed.
The Nets' traveling party, sources tell Stein, will include Prokhorov, Jay-Z, Avery Johnson and Rod Thorn. (Jay-Z also has a concert scheduled for Friday...in France.)
Dave D reports Monday that the Nets intend to meet with six free agents-- James, Wade, Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire, David Lee and Rudy Gay --in the "first few days" of free agency. Dave also writes of Russian spies ("complete borscht"); Thorn's retirement plans (pending?), Jerry Colangelo's job prospects (not good); and how much of it is really about basketball (somewhat).
Nets insiders expect the Thorn situation to be resolved by Tuesday, when the team holds a press conference to introduce its two draft choices. Among the possible successors, writes Fred Kerber, are Nets VP Bobby Marks, Thunder GM Sam Presti and Hornets GM Jeff Bower.
And remember those weekend reports of LeBron James enjoying a night on the town in Manhattan, reports that thrilled Knick fans? The Daily News notes that James was indeed in the city Friday...partying with Jay-Z and Beyonce'.
- Nets working to lure several big stars - Marc Stein - ESPN New York
- The Nets, the NBA and Free Agency: Overlapping Worlds of Weird - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
- Bosh pow-wow on Nets' agenda - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Jay-Z wines and dines LeBron James in New York - Carson Griffith - New York Daily News
- Knicks owner to go to LeBron meeting - Marc Berman - New York Post
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LeBron set to hold court in Ohio - John Jackson - Chicago Sun-Times
- The LeBron rumor mill: Nets summon Jay-Z to help make their pitch - Mary Schmitt Boyer - Cleveland Plain-Dealer
- Eye-opener: Nets get first shot but who finishes with LeBron - USA Today
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Bidding for James, other NBA free agents set to begin - Benjamin Hochman - Denver Post