Brooklyn Bridge

The Nets held a groundbreaking ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday, as construction gets underway on the team’s new arena complex.

Marching bands and speeches from VIP’s drowned out nearby protests from those opposed to the Atlantic Yards project.

“I can’t believe I’m standing here today,” said Bruce Ratner, who for six years battled a severe recession and community objections to bring the project to fruition.

Real GM

David Lee

New York Knicks forward David Lee is an unrestricted free agent this summer. And he sounds like he would not mind heading to the 7-55 New Jersey Nets.

The team’s dismal record is going to keep some free agents away. There are some – such as Amare Stoudemire and Rudy Gay – who seem attracted to the team that will someday supposedly move to Brooklyn.

Lee is thinking that if the team gets the No. 1 pick in the draft and picks up a good free agent, it could turn things around pretty quickly.

Yahoo Sports

Prudential Center

The Nets are still on schedule to move to Brooklyn in 2012, but a source familiar with the situation tells the New York Daily News that the team will likely play in Newark the next two seasons.

The franchise has reportedly reached a preliminary lease agreement with the Devils to play their home games at the Prudential Center.

The Nets and Devils reached the agreement last week and it’s expected to become official this week, according to the source.

“It’s going to happen,” said a source familiar with the negotiations.

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Devin Harris

Devin Harris knows his name is out there now, circulated mostly by out-of-towners using speculation and third-hand info to conclude that he will be traded as soon as the right deal comes along.

“It’s very, very unlikely that we’d trade Devin. I never say never, but it’s very unlikely that he’s going to be traded,” Nets president Rod Thorn said.

FanNation

Amare Stoudemire

Amare Stoudemire, one of the key names expected on this summer’s free agent market, said he sees the Nets’ “potential” and would not automatically dismiss them.

“There are some teams you may say, ‘no way,’ ” said the 6-foot-10 Stoudemire, who scored 27 points in the Suns’ 118-94 win that dropped the Nets to 3-38.

“I don’t think the Nets are one of them.”

FanNation

George Karl

While Nets president Rod Thorn is not at liberty to discuss coaches under contract, he has several peers who believe that Nuggets coach George Karl will become available if the Nuggets crash in the postseason, or do not reach the Final Four again this spring.

If Karl becomes available, Thorn has peers who believe the decision would be a slam dunk.

FanNation

Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez literally jumped off the Nets bench with six seconds still left in the game and ran to the locker room as the 98-76 beating was concluding.

And when the media reached that locker room a half-hour later, Lopez was gone again – electing not to stick around to discuss his performance, for a very good reason.

He is still dodging what is becoming obvious lately: The Nets are starting to neglect his development for the purpose of getting Yi Jianlian going.

FanNation

Chris Quinn

The New Jersey Nets have acquired guard Chris Quinn from the Miami Heat along with the Heat’s second round draft pick in 2012 and cash considerations in exchange for the Nets’ 2010 second round draft pick.

Quinn, currently in his fourth NBA season out of Notre Dame, holds career averages 5.6 ppg and 2.2 apg in 168 games.

He has been inactive for each of the Heat’s games during the 2009-10 season.

Real GM

Rafer Alston

Rafer Alston has agreed to a contract buyout with the Nets.

Sources told Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday that the Heat are the early favorite to sign the point guard after he clears waivers.

The Cavaliers and a number of other clubs are expected to show interest in Alston as well.

He was averaging 9.7 points and 3.9 assists per game with New Jersey.

Real GM

Eduardo Najera

The Mavericks were apparently ready to send Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Eduardo Najera, but the folks in New Jersey reportedly can not clear up the necessary roster spot.

The word is that the Nets were hoping that Dallas would add some cash into the deal, which would allow them to buy out Williams.

To make room, the Nets apparently tried to trade former first-round pick Josh Boone to the Denver Nuggets for Joey Graham and his non-guaranteed deal but that did not work out.

Yahoo Sports