SAN ANTONIO – Jason Kidd could have ended so much suspense. Here he was in front of a national TV audience and the question was asked if he could say with certainty that he’d be a Net next season.

“I can’t. The door is open. I’ve got to play my free agency out. I would love to be a Net but I’ve got to look at all my options,” said Kidd, who later said losing a second straight title would have no impact on his free agency decision. “That has no bearing on what I will decide this summer.

“Again, this is my second time coming short of a championship, so I’ve got to find a team or stay with the Nets that has a better chance of winning that championship trophy. That’s what I play this game for.”

And so the end of the Finals means the start of a lot more work for Nets management.

Kidd’s free agency is first and foremost. But on Aug. 1, Kenyon Martin can seek a contract extension to avoid being a restricted free agent after next season. Don’t forget Byron Scott, who’ll enter his final contract year.

Then there are matters such as the draft, Lucious Harris’ free agency, trade questions, the possibility of CEO Lou Lamoriello giving up the reigns of the Nets, several teams wooing assistant Eddie Jordan and director of scouting Ed Stefanski, the status of last year’s first-rounder Nenad Krstic. But Kidd tops the list.

“If he’s going to leave . . . I’ll tip my cap to him and wish him the best, and then I’ll knock him on his butt when I see him again,” Martin said.

“We’re getting closer to the point where [his free agency] is going to become the main concern,” team president Rod Thorn said. “Then we wait until July the first.”

Concerning Scott, Thorn said, “When the season is over we’ll sit down and see what his thinking is about extending his contract.”

Jordan (Philadelphia, Washington) and Stefanski (Portland, Washington) have stirred interest elsewhere.