Derrick Coleman will not be signing a contract with the Nets this week.

Mercer played for six teams in seven seasons before signing a two-year deal with the Nets.

He returned to the United States for the 1989-90 season, signing with the Nets as a free agent.

In a move made official yesterday, Mercer, 28, signed with the Nets for two years at the bargain price of $3.3 million.

He sat out last season and signed a guaranteed four-year, $23 million contract with the Nets this summer.

Coleman signed a $37 million deal with the Nets in 1993.

He signed with the Nets, a young team, he said, that had a lot of potential and speed and the ability to score.

Shackleford has said the loan was fully paid back with interest after he signed with the Nets in 1988.

He signed as a free agent with the Nets this past summer and is still bitter that the Celtics did not keep him.

Thomas signed his first 10-day contract with the Nets on Jan. 20.