interesting that this popped up recently. Here is an peice of a new york post article shown on insidehoops.com
"To Shareef Abdur-Rahim, it's a two-way street for him and the Nets. "They have a very good team, a team that can win," the 6-9 prized free agent said yesterday on the eve of visiting the Nets for a two-day recruiting trip. "I can complement them in a lot of ways. And they certainly can help me." But with stiff competition for Abdur-Rahim from the likes of the world champion Spurs, the Nets are trying every ploy they can to ensure that the Portland power forward's road ends in New Jersey. "Really, for the most part, I like everything about the Nets' situation. Even now, they are one of the top three or four teams in the East," said Abdur-Rahim, 28, who then added the dreaded "but" to the equation. "But I'm keeping my options wide open. We're speaking to other teams. Although I like the situation, myself and Aaron [attorney Goodwin] will weigh all my options, listen to everybody," continued Abdur-Rahim, who said the Spurs, Heat, Wizards and Kings also are courting him. "I don't want to lead anybody on."
and this is another report from WOAI:
http://www.woai.com/spurs/story.aspx?conte...89-58C06AC4901D"Two NBA sources told me over the weekend that the Spurs are more interested in spending their five million dollar exception on Shareef Abdur Rahim. Right now the Nets and Heat are considered the frontrunners to land his services. They will probably offer him more money.
But the word is Rahim wants to win. He's never been with a team that finished over .500 in his entire 9-year career, and he's still only 28 years old. Winning equals playing for the Spurs.
How about another top free agent: Toronto's Donyell Marshall? There are a couple of reasons why he could be a match:
1. He won't command much more than the five million dollar exception.
2. Toronto could sign him and then trade him to the Spurs for Rasho Nesterovic. That way they get something in return for losing Marshall - even if it is Rasho.
Again, these are just the scenarios of the day in the NBA, and as we've found out, they can quickly change.
Spurs GM RC Buford told me today that anything is possible, but that right now the Spurs focus is taking care of their own business and that - presumably - is re-signing Robert Horry and locking up either Luis Scola from Argentina, or if his asking price is too high, another Argentinan named Fabricio Oberto."