Nets-Abdur-Rahim
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The New Jersey Nets on Tuesday rescinded their trade with the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim and acquired forward Marc Jackson from Philadelphia.
The Abdur-Rahim trade was put on hold last week after the nine-year veteran failed a physical. The Nets didn't disclose the nature of the medical problem, but team president Rod Thorn said it was something neither Abdur-Rahim nor the Trail Blazers knew about. ``Obviously we weren't aware of it, and after all the conversations back and forth, I don't think the player was aware there was any problem,'' Thorn said. ``He hadn't missed any games regarding this. To my knowledge, (Portland) wasn't aware of it.''
The Nets had planned to use their trade exception to acquire the 29-year-old Abdur-Rahim, who has averaged 19.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in nine years with Vancouver, Atlanta and Portland. With the trade exception scheduled to expire at midnight Tuesday, New Jersey was forced to scramble to make a deal.
``We had a list of guys we had interest in, and he was at the top of our list,'' Thorn said. ``We thought he would fit in very well with us.''
New Jersey quickly set its sights on the 30-year-old Jackson, acquiring him from the 76ers for cash and future considerations. The 6-foot-10 center-forward averaged 12 points and five rebounds in 81 games for Philadelphia last season. He has averaged nine points and 4.7 rebounds in five NBA seasons with Golden State, Minnesota and the 76ers.
``He's a good shooter, he's a force down low and draws a lot of fouls,'' Thorn said. ``We feel he's a player who can play in our rotation and help us.''
New Jersey had agreed to a six-year deal with Abdur-Rahim, who was acquired earlier this month for a 2006 first-round pick and the Nets' trade exception.
``After consulting with several noted specialists, we felt that rescinding the trade is our best course of action,'' Thorn said.
Abdur-Rahim missed 22 games with the Blazers last season after undergoing surgery in mid-January to remove loose particles in his right elbow. Thorn said that the Nets tried negotiating a different deal with Abdur-Rahim in recent days, but that he didn't want to change the agreement that was in place.
``We were notified by New Jersey this afternoon that they were rescinding the sign and trade for Shareef Abdur-Rahim,'' Trail Blazers general manager John Nash said Tuesday. ``They cited some concerns after a physical examination and believe that rescinding the trade is in their best interest. The contract that was agreed to with Shareef becomes null and void and he is now a free agent.''
