After the Nets' ignominious Game 7 loss, they have to address their power forward situation for next season. The answer might be under their noses in backup center Andray Blatche, a free-agent-to-be.
The Nets will not have salary-cap space and do not own Blatche's Bird Rights. But the enigmatic 26-year-old is thankful the Nets let him revive his career after he was waived last offseason by the Wizards, and both Blatche and general manager Billy King said they hope to see him back in Brooklyn next season.
"That's the plan," Blatche said. "I'm not sure yet right now. I can't tell you 100 percent yet, but that's the plan for me."
Usually, a skilled 7-footer who averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 boards in just 19.0 minutes would land a big contract on the free-agent market. But Blatche, who continues to be paid by the Wizards — $7.8 million next season and $8.5 million the following — from his previous contract, said he would make his decision based on fit, not finances.
The Nets took a chance on Blatche on a one-year contract after Washington used the amnesty clause to part ways amid concerns over his character and conditioning.
He resuscitated his career, playing every single game and teaming with Brook Lopez as the NBA's most productive center tandem.
Unless Blatche gets a deal with at least a guaranteed third year, what he makes the next two seasons mostly just offsets the Wizards' salary commitments. Blatche has said he is not inclined to make things easier for his former employer, and added yesterday he might take less money to stay in a good situation in Brooklyn.
"Yeah, I thought about that idea. I like it here, I got my second chance here and I'm loyal to being here. We just have to see what happens,'' he said. "With the money situation, that makes it easier for me to stay here. I don't have to take nothing huge. I can take less. It's going to be based on what's best for me."
King acknowledged the need to address the power forward spot, where Reggie Evans is a limited offensive player and Kris Humphries' expiring contract may be used as trade bait. King also spoke to the hope Blatche, who played power forward in Washington, would take less to stay.
"Maybe it's adding to the bench, or maybe it's Andray Blatche," King said. "He played there quite a bit. ... We have what we have. He's not going to make more money. Hopefully he likes the situation and wants to be here."
Blatche said he would have no issue moving back to power forward and a starting spot is not a priority.
"[It's] just getting the right minutes and playing, helping out,'' Blatche said. "I played the four my whole career. This is my first year playing the five. ... A lot of people don't realize when I was at Washington I played the four the whole seven years there."
Deron Williams openly stumped for Blatche's return.
"Dray was a big part of what we do," Williams said. "He's unbelievably talented. It's just a matter of consistency and him bringing it every night."
brian.lewis@nypost.com
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