Thunder extend offer to former Nets center Krstic

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma City Thunder made a bid to fill their void at center Monday by signing former New Jersey Nets center Nenad Krstic to an offer sheet.

The Nets' 2002 first-round pick has been playing in Russia this season after receiving a qualifying offer from New Jersey. The Nets have seven days to match Oklahoma City's offer, or the 7-foot Serbian would be free to join the Thunder.

Krstic averaged 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in four seasons with the Nets.

Oklahoma City has three 7-footers on its roster, but none have proven to be the answer. The oft-injured Robert Swift has been hurt most of the season again this year, while Johan Petro has meandered in and out of the starting lineup with little production.

Mouhamed Sene had knee surgery in April and has not played this season, although he's no longer listed among the Thunder's injured players.

Nick Collison has been the most reliable solution at center although he's undersized at 6-10.