NBA

KIKI TRYING TO MAKE TRADE

Maybe the Nets will make a deal before the Feb. 19 deadline. Maybe not.

But it won’t be from a lack of trying.

“We’ll be active,” said general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, who wouldn’t specify any given area where the Nets seek an upgrade. “We’ll be actively canvassing the league, calling teams. We’re already doing that. You may not make a trade. In fact, the odds are probably against making a trade. But it helps you in the future because you know what teams are willing to look at.”

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Sean Williams sat on the Nets bench. Williams flies back to Colorado today to rejoin his D-League team.

“I wanted to be with my teammates. I feel this is my team, where I belong,” said Williams, who said that short term he’s improving, staying in shape but long term, he’s trying to “become a better basketball player, a better defender and work on guarding more positions.”

Williams admits the adjustment has been hard, especially regarding the referees.

“They’re not NBA refs out there,” he said. “Just like the level of competition is below the NBA, everything out there is a step below the NBA. I’m not complaining, but it is different.”

Vandeweghe said Williams seems “committed to working on defense on the perimeter, his post-up skills and understanding how to play a forward role.”

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Coach Lawrence Frank was asked about having a soon-to-be basketball-playing president.

“I hope he spends more time on the other stuff than he does on his game,” Frank said of President-Elect Barack Obama. “I’ve got great respect. It’s monumental what’s going to happen Tuesday. There’s a great sense of pride for a lot of different reasons, but I’d say spend less time on the game and more time trying to figure out some other stuff going on.”

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Josh Boone said he was “a little bit” surprised Carter and Harris sat the second half. Boone sat out, too.

“It’s not my call,” Boone said, noting the message was “that everybody’s got to be held accountable for their own actions.”