FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Nets continued their wait-and-see approach to the free agent marketplace. After a 2-for-3 draft night trade and the drafting of Terrence Williams, the Nets have 15 guaranteed contracts, so to sign someone for the start of the season, they need to create space. Team president Rod Thorn has maintained the Nets will do something before the summer is out, but that he intends to wait and bargain-hunt after the initial signings in the league.

The team picked up the second-year $2.06 million option on F Jarvis Hayes while G/F Trenton Hassell, as expected, did not opt out of his $4.3 million final year.

PLAYER NEWS:

--F/G Terrence Williams provided the Nets with a strong glimpse of his all-around skills in the Orlando Summer League and was one of the bright spots in a 0-5 record compiled by a combo Nets-Sixers team. Williams averaged 9.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks in five games.

"I thought he was a very, very good player," said one opposing coach watching summer league. "The kid can do a lot. He gets to the rim, he can defend. His shot needs work but he'll find ways to get it done."

--G/F Chris Douglas-Roberts was the student last year during the summer. So he relished the thought of trying to be the teacher this time around, taking rookie Terrence Williams under his wing.

"We were talking every day. I'd ask him things," Williams said. And Douglas-Roberts enjoyed the chance to help a guy he thinks will play a big role for the Nets this season.

"I like him. I think he's going to grow into a versatile guy in the NBA. He's not a one-dimensional player," Douglas-Roberts said of Williams. "He's a guy who can do a lot of different things on the floor and takes pride in his passing which is a lost art in this league."

--C Brook Lopez has been concentrating on all the usual areas in the offseason: post moves, shooting, defense. But he also has put a premium on strength and conditioning this off-season. As a rookie, he started 75 games and averaged 30.5 minutes. He figures playing time will rise through the natural progression of things -- and with the absence of Vince Carter. "Losing Vince, they're going to rely on me more. I'll probably play a few more minutes, obviously," Lopez reasoned.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--F Eduardo Najera underwent successful sports hernia surgery Mar. 13, ending his season. He is rehabbing well and expected for training camp. Najera is playing for Mexico in the FIBA Americas Cup.

--G Keyon Dooling underwent successful arthroscopic surgery May 4 to remove loose particles from his right hip. He is expected to be ready for the start of the season.