New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter underwent successful arthroscopic right ankle surgery today, Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Nets President Rod Thorn announced.  The procedure, performed by Dr. Martin O'Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, included the removal of multiple loose bodies and a bone spur from the ankle, as well as a debridement of the ankle.

Carter will be on crutches for several weeks, after which time he will begin rehabilitation.  He is expected to be fully recovered by the time the team begins training camp for the 2008-09 season.

After a disappointing season, Rod Thorn is ready to shake up the roster of the Nets, according to the Record (New Jersey).

"I think we're going to do some things to make us better," Thorn said. "I think that's a big part of the challenge. Every year doesn't go great. There have been a lot of teams that have been worse off than we are and have been able to come back."

"I look forward to the challenge of trying to get us back where we want to be," Thorn added.

It is believed that Richard Jefferson and Marcus Williams could be on Thorn's list of players he would like to move.

The YES Network received a shock yesterday when analyst Mark Jackson announced on the air that he will not be returning to call Net games, the New York Post is reporting.

Jackson is believed to be a candidate for the Knicks' coaching position.

"This was going to be it, anyway [on YES]," Jackson said to the New York Post after the game. "With a wife and four kids in Los Angeles, every game is a road game."

Lawrence Frank expects to be back as the coach of the Nets next season despite the team's disappointing season, according to the New York Daily News.

New Jersey will miss the playoffs for the first time in seven years this month.

Frank has come under fire this season but has received repeated endorsements from decision-maker Rod Thorn.

"We always have open dialogue and talk about things, and we have a healthy respect for each other's opinion," Frank said. "They've always asked and you voice it, and at the end of the day you make the best decision and do what's in the best interest of the team."

The Nets are going to miss the postseason for the first time in seven years, and Richard Jefferson blames it on the amount of time it took for the team to click down the stretch, according to the New York Daily News.

"This is not a reflection type thing," Jefferson said. "This is not a moment you sit back and stare at all the things that have happened. We've had a struggle this season, didn't play the way we would have liked. It's been disappointing. We got Devin and those guys, it took us awhile to click, and we still haven't gotten into a rhythm and here we are."

"Your guess is as good as mine," Jefferson said when asked about what the future holds for New Jersey. "Three years ago I was surprised I was here, so who am I to judge the direction of the team? I don't try to do other people's jobs."

The Nets' loss to the Raptors on Friday night officially eliminated New Jersey from playoff contention, marking the first time the team has missed the postseason since 2001, the Associated Press is reporting.

"We feel like we've let down our fans, our management, and our ownership," Coach Lawrence Frank said. "We're all accountable for it, and we have to be resolved that this will never, ever happen again."

Richard Jefferson is having an excellent offensive season, but he knows that he could be dealt over the summer.

"You know, I could be suiting up for someplace else next year. Nobody knows," said Jefferson.

Jefferson has played well with Devin Harris.

"You know, change happens," he said. "I would like to (stay), but change does happen. 'The NBA -- Where Change Happens.' What you would like, and what is a possibility, are two different things."

With the Nets still trying to keep their playoff chances alive, the team were dealt a blow when they lost Vince Carter with a sprained ankle which may require surgery, the New York Daily News are reporting.

If Carter opts for surgery, it will not happen until the Nets season is over.

With only six games remaining, New Jersey remains four games behind Atlanta for the eighth playoff spot.