NETS LOOK AT HOUSTON

September 20, 2007 -- There were some minor drills, some pickup play and apparent interest on both sides. Otherwise, all remains the same with the Nets and Allan Houston.

The former Knicks sharp shooter who retired after the 2004-05 season because of an arthritic knee worked out with 2-on-2 drills and a few pick-up games as Nets brass, including GM Ed Stefanski and coach Lawrence Frank, watched from the sidelines at the team's practice site. Houston moved well, by all reports, but he has been away for two seasons.

The Nets definitely are interested in having Houston come to camp on a "make-good" contract and are not inclined to offer any guarantees. Houston's camp, obviously, wants a guaranteed deal in place. Other teams have shown interest, and the overriding feeling is the Knicks would get first shot at Houston, a career 17.3 scorer including 18.5 in his nine seasons in New York.

"I think he's trying to determine what he'd like to do," said Nets president Rod Thorn. "That's where we are. He hasn't said anything about coming on [a non-guaranteed] basis."

source : nypost.com