Thorn not discussing future with Nets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Rod Thorn is giving some mixed signals about his future as president and general manager of the New Jersey Nets.

Thorn gave a cryptic `'we'll see" response and then laughed on Friday when asked when he would sign a new contract and how long he intended to stay on the job.

"Thanks for asking," Thorn said, ending the conversation.

New Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has made it clear that he wants the 69-year-old Thorn to stay with the organization and revive the team after a franchise-worst 12-70 season.

Thorn, who has been calling the shots for the Nets since 2000, hired Avery Johnson as coach last week, ran the draft on Thursday and is now preparing for the long-awaited free agency period when the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh can test the market.

New Jersey doesn't have a great supporting cast, but Thorn has positioned the team to make a run at star players with $27 million in salary cap space.

Quoting league sources, ESPN The Magazine reported on Friday that Thorn will step down as the Nets president on July 15.

Thorn had no comment on the report in a telephone call with The Associated Press on Friday night.

"I appreciate your inquiry," Thorn said.

Thorn helped turn the Nets into a contender in 2001 when he engineered a trade to bring Jason Kidd to New Jersey. The Nets went to the NBA Finals for two consecutive years, but failed to win the title.

Before joining the Nets, Thorn was the NBA's executive vice president of basketball operations from 1986-2000.