There were calls from numerous teams, but nothing made sense for the Nets. So while the Atlantic Division underwent significant change before yesterday’s NBA trading deadline, the Nets played no part.

So the Nets will finish the season with what’s on hand. But if the last two games are any indication of what’s ahead, they might want to ask for a trade deadline extension.

“We played terribly in the third quarters of both games when we just didn’t defend. You look at the shots we gave up: tip-ins or they just beat us back,” said team president Rod Thorn, who entertained assorted calls from teams looking to dump salaries.

“But it was just not out there for us,” Thorn said of the trading scene. “Nothing was ever close.”

So the Nets, who added Vince Carter, Cliff Robinson and Elden Campbell since Dec. 17, politely listened to calls from the likes of Houston, Denver, Golden State and Portland – and few, if any, involved Jason Kidd. They said no thanks and hung up. Beginning tonight against the Bobcats in the Meadowlands, the Nets have 27 games to figure it out – and to pass Philadelphia and Boston if they hope to claim the Atlantic Division title, their best bet to make playoff noise.

“It’s too early to push the panic button, but it’s not too early to not approach with a sense of urgency,” said coach Lawrence Frank, whose sub-.500 Nets (23-32) lost to the sub-.500 Raptors and sub-.500 Bucks by 18 and 19 points in their last two games. “Time is ticking. At some point you run out of tomorrows.”

And that time could be quickly approaching, although the Nets maintain they still have time for a playoff push.

“Experience. We’ve been there before. We have a lot of guys who understand how to win,” said Vince Carter, a .370 shooter in his last four games, explaining why the Nets can make it. “We know what it takes. We just have to get it done.”

The Nets seem a little baffled at the dreadful post-break turn of events. They hit the All-Star hiatus playing sound with a style that produced optimism. Then two games produced only retching and some pointed criticisms from Kidd, who must wait for summer if he is to renew a trade campaign. Until then, he’ll need to lead the Nets in a revamped Atlantic Division that sees Antoine Walker back in Boston, Chris Webber in Philadelphia and another overhaul at the Garden.

“It’s a wild division right now,” said Nets GM Ed Stefanski. “Everyone in this division feels they have a shot to win it and they made moves. Obviously, we made a move earlier (Carter) to take a shot at the division . . . We did it before the trade deadline.

“We have two superstars (Kidd, Carter) who have proven it. We have an upcoming star in Richard Jefferson . . . and we have three first-round picks the next two years.”

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Bobcats at Nets; Tonight – 7:30; YES; WFAN (1050)