EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Devin Harris says it could be two more weeks before he makes his debut with the New Jersey Nets.

Harris, part of the eight-player trade that sent Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks, will replace Kidd at point guard but a nagging ankle injury still has him sidelined.

"It looks like it's going to be another week or two before I can get on the court," Harris said as he, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager and Trenton Hassell went through their first workout with the Nets.

Harris' ankle has kept him out the past three weeks.

"It wasn't so much a setback, it just doesn't feel as great as it once did," Harris said. "I haven't really done anything since the All-Star break, it's just not really responding."

The Nets also acquired Keith Van Horn, two first-round draft picks and $3 million in yesterday's deal that sent Kidd, Antoine Wright and Malik Allen to Dallas.

Harris didn't say whether his time frame meant he'd be back at practice or playing again. Comments by the Mavericks and Nets over the last few days seemed to indicate he would be able to play sooner.

Harris' absence gives second-year pro Marcus Williams — Kidd's backup — a chance to start, beginning with tonight's game against Chicago, Nets coach Lawrence Frank said.

It also forces Frank to make other moves, including putting Vince Carter at point guard.

"Vince will have to play some 1, and that's going to entail Trenton or Mo Ager giving us some minutes at the 2," Frank said. "That's the challenge any time you make a midseason trade. In the short term we'll need to be a little more creative, and then when Devin gets back we look forward to giving him the keys."

Harris, in his fourth year, is averaging career highs of 14.4 points and 5.3 assists this season. Two seasons ago he started 15 of Dallas' 23 games in the playoffs when the team reached the NBA finals.

Still, it was no secret that the Mavericks saw Kidd as the player who could take the franchise one step further — and help them keep pace with Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers, who made blockbuster deals for Shaquille O'Neal and Pau Gasol, respectively.

Harris seemed to take it in stride today.

"I know what kind of player I am," he said. "We've been to the finals with me starting before. They were in a situation where they had to respond with what's going on with the West right now. So you just have to look at it and take it for what it is."

Van Horn, who has not played in 1 1/2 seasons though the Mavericks still owned his rights, was scheduled to work out for the Nets later today. Van Horn played for the Nets for five seasons, including 2001-02 when the team reached the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.