Link:The Nets don't have the pieces to get Garnett, whose name continues to be mentioned in possible trades, despite the fact that Minnesota has not put him on the market. But they had to get rid of McInnis, who had been taking up one of their 15 roster spots as he sat home in Charlotte, getting paid $3.6 million for this season.
A flop with the Nets, McInnis was packaged with cash considerations to the Bobcats for little-used swingman Bernard Robinson, who makes $1 million this season and $1.08 million next season. The Bobcats needed a point guard with starter Brevin Knight sidelined for three more weeks with a torn abdominal muscle. Since Charlotte is $15million below the $53 million salary cap, the two could be swapped one for one. The deal puts the Nets less than $1 million under the $65.4 million luxury-tax threshold, according to Nets president Rod Thorn. And while Robinson is considered a backup, the third-year veteran might come in handy if Jefferson has to miss more time.
"Who knows what is going to happen with Richard as we go forward here?" said Thorn, using a conference room tabletop to knock on wood. "Jumping off one leg, he seems fine. But jumping off two legs is what's bothering him."
Jefferson has been working out with the team during this five-day stretch between games that ends with tomorrow's home game against Chicago. While he has not labored as much in the last two games, he said there has been no change in his ankles.
Jefferson's condition isn't the only one the Nets are watching closely. After Jason Collins sat out his second straight practice, the team sent him to get an MRI exam and X-rays taken of his back. Results should be known today. Already weakened by Nenad Krstic's season-ending knee surgery, the Nets can't afford to lose Collins, who threw out his back before Tuesday's workout while reaching down to put on his sneakers.
