Next year, Mile Ilic almost certainly would have been a first-round pick. So when the Nets saw the 7-1 Serbian center sitting there midway through the second round, it was a no-brainer.

“It’s easy to say and everyone says it: ‘I’m shocked he was there,’ ” said GM Ed Stefanski. “He’s like (Nenad) Krstic but a much better athlete. He has bounce. This kid could be a pretty good player He is not a project.”

Most figured Ilic would enter next year but, through an interpreter yesterday, Ilic said he “wanted to get it out of his mind” and was hoping to be picked this season so he could “play relaxed all year” and begin bulking up. That should begin today when Ilic starts training with conditioning coach Rich Dalatri. Ilic intends to spend several weeks stateside before heading back for one more year in Europe, like Krstic before him. “He doesn’t have the upper body” to play now, Nets president Rod Thorn said.

So for size, the Nets will attack the free-agent market starting Friday, seeking the likes of Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Donyell Marshall. They’ll search for more help at point guard – a matter they addressed somewhat yesterday when they picked up the $745,046 option on Jacque Vaughn.

SUMMER SESSION: The Nets contacted undrafted players for the summer league, including Florida’s Anthony Roberson and Matt Walsh plus Clemson’s Sharrod Ford.