Richard

Jefferson

"[Coach Lawrence Frank] tells me my role is going to continue to increase. If you look at my first year, I came off the bench; the next year I started, last year I was the leading scorer and this year it’s looking to increase even more,” said Jefferson.

He will make the flight to Detroit and “should” play. Even if he’s not 100 percent we can’t imagine RJ sitting out Vince Carter’s debut.

Jefferson is out for the regular season following surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his left wrist. “I will be back. My cast comes off around March 20, maybe a little before. Give me a month or so of rehab. I won’t be 100 percent, but I definitely will be capable of helping this team.” As of this morning, the improving Nets sit three games out of the Atlantic division lead, and two games out of the eighth spot in the East.

Jefferson sat out Sunday’s practice with knee tendinitis but it was just precautionary.

Jefferson’s numbers have improved across the board for a third straight season, although his rebounds are down from 6.4 last season to 5.7.

Jefferson should be ready to play Wednesday.

The Nets are also trying to get Ron Mercer signed. “I say we’re getting closer,” said Nets CEO Rod Thorn last night. “Both could be done in a day or so.”

That’s about $10 million short of the maximum. If Jefferson declines to sign an extension, he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer.

Jefferson played for eight teams across 17 seasons after being drafted 13th overall by the Rockets in 2001. He was a key part of the Nets playoff runs early in the 2000s and was in the rotation when the Cavaliers won their first title in 2016. You’ll probably be seeing him on your TV screens very soon.

“I believe we have what it takes here,” Jefferson said. “Myself, Vince, we’re coming into the prime of our careers. (So) your two leading scorers are coming into their prime; your third-leading scorer (Nenad Krstic) is in his second year; and you were still able to win the division, still able to do some good things. The upside of your team is very good.” While there was a lot of talk about Jefferson and Carter not being able to co-exist, they both put up big numbers in their elimination game, so that has quieted that talk. However, you still have to think there’s a decent chance Carter will be traded this summer.