NET NOTES

The Nets lucked out when Memphis made a mid-afternoon trade for former Portland troublemaker Bonzi Wells, because the Grizzlies played without sharpshooter Wesley Person last night.

The constantly turbulent Trail Blazers added Person as well as a conditional first-round pick for Wells, who has remarkable talent but has shown remarkably poor judgment during his professional career. If the Grizzlies’ first-round pick this season is one of the top three, they get to keep it. Otherwise, it goes to the Blazers.

Wells, who will likely join the Grizzlies today, has averaged 13.3 ppg during his career. He was averaging 12.2 ppg, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists this season.

“It isn’t like we’re bringing chopped liver here,” Memphis coach Hubie Brown said, a statement that seemed to justify the chemistry risk because of Wells’ talent.

Portland needed to acquire a quality professional, and it did in Person, according to Memphis players and officials. Person averaged 11 ppg last season but only managed 5.2 ppg this year.

“We got a good offensive player who’s very talented and can do a lot of things,” Memphis forward Pau Gasol said. “But we lost an excellent player, too. Wesley has done a great job for us.”

Said Brown, “First of all, we’re giving up one of the true professionals I’ve ever been associated with.”

Brown held off on judging Wells, noting that former Knicks star Bernard King was a purported troublemaker before getting traded to New York.

* Memphis guard Jason Williams didn’t play due to back spasms.

Jason Kidd insisted he was fine after bruising his backside with a tumble at the end of the road trip, but Byron Scott insisted he would hold him in the 36-minute range last night.

Kidd played 35 minutes and scored 11 points.