To rebuild or not to rebuild? That is the question that every NBA executive asks himself when his team is under-performing or stuck in mediocrity. Right now, New Jersey Nets’ president Rod Thorn is mired in that very predicament.

If they were fully healthy and playing to their level of talent, the Nets would be contenders for the Eastern Conference crown and could be expected to finish with 50-55 wins. But after the loss of young big man Nenad Kristic for the rest of the season and star Richard Jefferson for two months, the Nets went into the All-Star break at a disappointing 25-29, on the outside looking in at the playoff picture.

The most important factor for Thorn to consider heading into Thursday’s trading deadline is what to do with Nets all-star guards Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. Kidd is an enigma in today’s NBA, a point guard who is having one of the best seasons of his career at the grandfatherly age of 33. The dilemma for the Nets is that J-Kidd has a bloated contract which pays him over $40 million over the next two seasons. In addition, the Nets understand that he can’t possibly have many good years left, so it may be better to trade him now to a title contender and acquire as much as possible in young players and salary relief.

Carter, Kidd’s backcourt partner in the swamp, is in an entirely different situation. V.C. has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season, which would make him a free agent. However, if Carter stayed, the Nets would owe him over $16 million next season, more than he will likely receive on the open market, so it would be financially beneficial for him to play out his current deal. In Carter, 30, the Nets have another aging superstar whose best years are probably behind him, and it may be best to trade him as well.

While a rebuilding project may seem appealing given what the Nets could get via the trade market, a very weak Eastern Conference and an impending move to Brooklyn give the Nets enough reason to go for broke and try to win a championship right away. Instead of trading away Kidd and Vince before the deadline, the Nets should play out the season with the current roster and then make a big splash this summer.

Despite the trade value of Kidd and Carter, Jefferson is the ideal member of the Nets’ ‘Big Three’ to be traded, because he has yet to enter his prime. He has a long-term manageable contract and it is now evident that his abilities do not mesh with Carter’s. Trading a combination of R.J., young players, draft picks and expiring contracts over the summer for an elite big man would fill out the Nets’ starting five, and it would provide an incentive for Carter to either exercise his option for next year, or maybe even to sign an extension to remain in Jersey/Brooklyn.

Possible sources for a front line difference-maker include Portland’s Zach Randolph, Memphis’ Pau Gasol, Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett or Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal. These targets are also possible because the Blazers are attempting to build a team around young, likable players. The Grizzlies are in a salary dump, and the Timberwolves and Pacers may finally decide that the time has come to rebuild without K.G. and J.O., respectively.

Although the team has lost many close games and is clearly under-performing this season, the best move for Thorn is to be patient and weather the injury storm this season and then hit it big this summer, or reconsider making deals this time next year.