NBA

Nets are in a Newark state of mind

It’s official. The Nets will play in Newark for the next two seasons after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced yesterday an agreement allowing the team to complete its lease at the Prudential Center.

Also official is the Nets, who play the Raptors at the Meadowlands tonight (8, YES, WFAN), are essentially the same gang that has rocked the NBA for .093 ball since the start of the season after the team stayed idle at the trading deadline.

“I’m pleased to announce a mutually agreeable resolution with the Nets that moves the sports industry forward, while protecting the public’s interest and the future of professional basketball in … New Jersey,” Christie said. “The Nets will remain in New Jersey for the next two years and play in a state-of-the-art facility, while taxpayers will see revenue from the agreement.”

Terms of the deal include the Nets paying a $4 million early termination penalty over two years for breaking their lease at the Izod Center. The fee could be offset through advertising and suite revenues. Also, the Nets agree to permit another NBA team to play in New Jersey, which wouldn’t possibly happen anyway. The Nets, who expect Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov to be approved as owner by the NBA Board of Governors next month, are expected to move to Brooklyn in 2012.

“Our planned interim relocation to the Prudential Center in Newark represents one of the many positive steps to take place for Nets Basketball during the next few months,” Nets CEO Brett Yormark said in a statement. “(It) enables us to continue our goal to further regionalize the team, not only in Essex and Union counties, but also in New York City due to the direct mass transit access available between Manhattan and the Prudential Center.

“(The) mutually beneficial resolution affords the state fair compensation, while allowing the Nets to move to its desired facility,” said Jon Hanson, who chairs the Christie’s Transition Committee on New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment. “Moreover, basketball fans in our state can be pleased that the future of professional basketball in New Jersey has been addressed.”

Back in the present, the 5-49 Nets stood pat amid a sea of league-wide activity as the NBA trading deadline passed. The Nets had some minor feelers both ways, made all the required calls on the majors but nothing ever got close.

“With regards to the trading deadline, there was minimal activity on our part,” team president Rod Thorn said in a statement. “There were several calls made as well as received, but there was never any discussed transactions that came close to fruition.”

fred.kerber@nypost.com