Nets Back Away From Trade for Abdur-Rahim

The New Jersey Nets on Tuesday rescinded their trade with the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim and acquired forward Marc Jackson from Philadelphia.

The Abdur-Rahim trade was put on hold last week after the nine-year veteran failed a physical. The Nets didn’t disclose the nature of the medical problem, but team President Rod Thorn said it was something neither Abdur-Rahim nor the Trail Blazers knew about.

The Nets had planned to use their trade exception to acquire the 29-year-old Abdur-Rahim, who has averaged 19.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in nine years with Vancouver, Atlanta and Portland. With the trade exception scheduled to expire at midnight Tuesday, New Jersey was forced to scramble to make a deal.

“New Jersey quickly set its sights on the 30-year-old Jackson, acquiring him from the 76ers for cash and future considerations. The 6-foot-10 center-forward averaged 12 points and five rebounds in 81 games for Philadelphia last season.

New Jersey had agreed to a six-year deal with Abdur-Rahim, who was acquired earlier this month for a 2006 first-round pick and the Nets’ trade exception.

“After consulting with several noted specialists, we felt that rescinding the trade is our best course of action,” Thorn said.

Abdur-Rahim missed 22 games with Portland last season after undergoing surgery in mid-January to remove loose particles in his right elbow. Thorn said that the Nets tried negotiating a different deal with Abdur-Rahim, but that he didn’t want to change the agreement that was in place.

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A Boston judge stepped into the feud among Atlanta Hawk owners, blocking the removal of Boston businessman Steve Belkin as managing partner.

Judge Allan van Gestel granted Belkin’s request for a temporary injunction, saying a contract signed by all the owners last year prevents the group from voting him out.

The dispute stems from Belkin’s refusal to approve a sign-and-trade deal for the Hawks to acquire guard Joe Johnson from the Phoenix Suns. As the team’s NBA governor, he must sign off on all trades.

The other members had planned to vote Tuesday to replace Belkin with co-owner Michael Gearon Jr.

The ruling extends indefinitely a temporary restraining order obtained by Belkin last week and can be appealed to a higher court. The judge said Belkin’s refusal to approve the Johnson deal was not grounds for his removal.

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Philadelphia 76er guard Willie Green will have arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage in his left knee and is optimistic about playing this season, his agent said.

Green was scheduled to sign a $20-million, six-year contract, but the restricted free agent injured his knee in a pickup game before signing the deal.

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Michael Cooper, interim coach of the Denver Nuggets for part of last season, was named coach of the Albuquerque franchise in the National Basketball Assn. Development League.

Before joining the Nuggets, Cooper spent four-plus seasons as coach of the Sparks, guiding them to WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002.

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The Toronto Raptors signed restricted free-agent guard Chris Duhon to an offer sheet and re-signed free-agent forward Pape Sow. Terms were not disclosed. Duhon played last season in Chicago. ... As expected, Minnesota reserve Mark Madsen signed a five-year contract to stay with the Timberwolves. ... Center Zaza Pachulia joined the Atlanta Hawks after the Milwaukee Bucks declined to match a four-year, $16-million offer sheet. ... Forward James Singleton, a 24-year-old from Murray State who played the last two seasons in Italy, signed a partially guaranteed three-year contract with the Clippers, his agent, Buddy Baker, said. ... Former Laker center Jamal Sampson signed with the Sacramento Kings.