EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rod Thorn is stepping away from the Nets just as the franchise is entering its most critical time in recent memory, yet he wouldn’t commit to retiring completely from the NBA.
After the trade of Yi Jianlian to the Washington Wizards, the Nets are armed with some $30 million in salary-cap space to lavish on players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
But Thorn will step down as president and general manager sometime after July 8, when teams can begin negotiating with free agents. Thorn declined to say exactly when he will leave.
“I certainly hope it won’t have any effect at all [on free agents],” Thorn, 69, said Tuesday during a press conference to officially introduce new draft picks Derrick Favors and Damion James. “I’m sure it won’t and I think that as we look for my successor I think we’ll have plenty of outstanding candidates.”
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