They tried for the moon — LeBron James — and now the Nets are building a team.
Multiple sources have confirmed The Nets agreed to a five-year, $35 million deal with Travis Outlaw. Independent sources told The Post that former Jazz sharpshooting guard Kyle Korver would also join the Nets, but team sources said the money marked for Outlaw would prevent them from doing that.
“In our situation we needed a starting three and Travis had some really good years in Portland,” said head coach Avery Johnson, from Orlando with the Nets’ summer league team.
With the team trailing in the James sweepstakes, Carlos Boozer headed to the Bulls and David Lee rumored to the Warriors, the Nets added Outlaw — a 6’9 small forward, who averaged 9.1 points in 34 games with the Blazers and Clippers.
“With Outlaw and (draftee) Damion James we feel we have gained some ground at that position,” Johnson said.
Outlaw, 25, was in the same 2003 draft class as James, Dwyane Wade and the rest –selected 23rd by the Blazers out of Starkville High School in Mississippi.
Outlaw averaged 13.3 points in the 2007-’08 and 12.8 the following year, but broke his foot early in the 2010 campaign and was traded from the Blazers to the Clippers midseason before becoming a free agent.
The Nets are still considering making a front-loaded offer to Bobcats power forward and restricted free agent Tyrus Thomas.