National Basketball Association

Report: Nets president Thorn to retire

Published Jun. 26, 2010 1:20 p.m. ET

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Rod Thorn, the mastermind behind the two revivals in New Jersey's NBA team who appeared set to orchestrate a third, is stepping down and retiring from his post as Nets president July 15, The New York Post reported Saturday, citing multiple sources.

"This has nothing to do with (owner Mikhail) Prokhorov or salary or contract," said a source close to Thorn. "This is Rod’s decision."

Another source said, "Rod could return if he wants to."

On Friday, when the subject of retiring was brought up to Thorn, who also has been serving as the team’s general manager for the past few months, he gave a rather cryptic answer.

"I’m still here and I’ll be here for a time," Thorn said. "It’s not about me. It was about the draft yesterday now it's about free agency."

Then Friday night, as the rumor circulated and reports swirled that Thorn was leaving, he said he did not want to comment.

"I don’t want to make any comment at this time," said Thorn, who is expected to guide the team through the upcoming free agency period.

Thorn, 69, has suffered through an incredibly draining year emotionally. The team was again taken apart and suffered through a historically bad season, 12-70, the worst in team history. Thorn also needed to grieve the loss of both of his parents. The team went through its ownership change, and Thorn had to wonder where he fit in with the overall scheme.

But he received the endorsement and the backing of Prokhorov who expressed his utmost confidence in Thorn following the approval of the sale transfer by the league’s Board of Governors. Prokhorov again supported Thorn at the NBA Finals in Boston.

"Rod Thorn is our president, and I trust him," Prokhorov said. "It is Rod’s job. He has permission to sign all deals."

And that of course presents a major question. How will the impending loss of Thorn affect the Nets’ free agency quest? With him -- and with Prokhorov’s money -- they were seen as leading players for the market. Nevertheless, they are expected to be extremely active, with out without Thorn. But Thorn is a piece that makes the Nets attractive. Avery Johnson said Thorn was a reason he longed for the Nets' coaching job.

Thorn’s contract, which pays him $5 million annually, is set to expire Wednesday. He has not signed a new deal -- a two-year contract believed to be a cut from what he had been receiving. A source close to the former West Virginia All-American insisted money was not behind this. Read more: