By FRED KERBER
Posted: 4:16 am
July 20, 2008
Any program from a Nets' game this past season already is horribly dated. And it's going to get worse within a few days when Keyon Dooling is added after a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando is finalized.
Dooling, 28, a 6-foot-3 combo guard, will fill the Nets' most conspicuous need as a backup at both guard positions. The Nets and Magic have worked out the trade that still needs league approval. The Magic get a $3.3 million trade exception that the Nets picked up in the Jason Kidd deal plus cash. Dooling, including three draft picks certain to make the roster, represents the eighth new player imported since draft day. He will bring defense, versatility and experience to an overall very young team.
"It's exciting," coach Lawrence Frank said, regarding the personnel turnover. "With so much new, you've got everyone starting from square one."
Dooling, a 6.8-point per game career scorer, will get a three-year deal, potentially worth more than $10 million.
Nets team president Rod Thorn declined to confirm the trade, but said the Nets were talking to the Magic about Dooling, who chose Orlando over the Nets as a free agent in 2005. Dooling became expendable in Orlando when the Magic signed free agents Mickael Pietrus and Anthony Johnson and then harshly criticized Magic officials when they offered him the lower level $1.91 million exception last week.
