One Ed is gone, but another stays with the Nets.

While Eddie Jordan has gone to Washington as the new head coach, Ed Stefanski, the highly regarded director of scouting, has been elevated to the position of general manager in a move that could signal far more complex and wide-ranging moves within the organization.

"Ed is going to stay," confirmed team president Rod Thorn regarding Stefanski, who had been offered a similar position with the Blazers. "He's good at what he does. He has very good judgment, is a strong judge of talent. He's a very bright guy with strong contacts all over the world."

Stefanski, who had numerous interviews with Portland, was unavailable for comment. He was offered the job by the Blazers Thursday after meeting with Portland owner Paul Allen. The Nets made their counteroffer to keep him on Friday. The Blazers will turn to either Chris Wallace, who was out in Boston after Danny Ainge moved in, or their own assistant GM Mark Warkentien.

Stefanski will get an upgrade in title and will remain Thorn's chief assistant. His promotion, sources insist, could trigger the long-rumored speculation that Lou Lamoriello, the chief executive officer of the Nets and Devils will, at the very least, leave his post with the basketball team and concentrate on hockey. Thorn, essentially, would move up to assume some of Lamoriello's duties with Stefanski handling more of Thorn's chores, sources said. Thorn, however, said that scenario was not in the works.