"Devin Harris should be an ex-Net today.

The Nets were working to find a home for Harris and had two primary scenarios with Western teams, Dallas and Portland, last night.

In one, the Nets and Dallas were discussing a swap with the major pieces being Harris and Caron Butler, out for the season with a right knee injury. Butler, 30 next month, has a $10.5 million expiring contract.

The Nets also sought a first-rounder and rookie Dominique Jones from South Florida, out with a foot injury, from Dallas and would ship out the disenchanted Harris, who started his career with the Mavericks in 2004, and likely Quinton Ross to make the deal work.

The Portland deal, also being discussed, made far more sense because it brought a point guard back to the Nets, who canceled last night's practice.

The Portland deal contained Harris and Troy Murphy with nearly $21 million in salary going to the Blazers for veteran point guard Andre Miller, 35 next month, and Joel Przybilla. Those two combined are under $15 million in salary. So either a third team or another player would be needed. The Record of North Jersey first reported Greg Oden ($6.7 million) would be included. A Blazers source said the organization seemed split about including Oden, down for the third time with a season-ending injury.

The Nets could try a simpler deal: Harris ($8.9 million) for Miller ($7.2 million), if the Blazers would add another low salary player — but it would not be Rudy Fernandez because Portland wants to add shooters, not trade them.

Murphy also could go to Golden State for two non-descript big men: Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric. He likely then would be bought out, and Orlando is one potentially interested team."