The Baby Gets His Bottle; Kidd Headed to Dallas (Official 2/19)

Jason Kidd is heading back to the team that he began his NBA career with in the Dallas Mavericks. After countless trade demands over the last few years, Kidd finally leaves the New Jersey Nets, and will get his shot at an NBA Championship. The Nets will receive Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, and two expiring contracts in return.

This move marks the third big deal in the last couple weeks. Kidd is one of the best point guards in NBA history. He took the woeful Nets franchise to the NBA Finals twice in his 6.5 years in New Jersey. There is no doubt he will help the Mavs, and perhaps finally get them the NBA Championship that has eluded them all these years. I still think they have major problems scoring down low, but Kidd's ability to read the floor will give Dirk and company more chances to slip inside.

However, the Nets needed to get rid of Kidd. Despite how much good he has done on the court for the Nets, Kidd has been a pain in the neck. He has ordered this franchise around ever since he's been there. His poor relationship with Byron Scott ultimately got Scott fired, and that's coming off two NBA Finals appearances. I like Lawrence Frank, but look at what Scott has done down in New Orleans. With a very good coach like that, Kidd needed to make it work. Kidd also demanded that an aging, sick Alonzo Mourning be signed before he re-signed with the Nets before the 2003-04 season. Most importantly, every time the Nets have struggled, Kidd has moaned and groaned looking for a trade. He is a great player, but a loser off the court.

Even with all that, it is probably time the Nets rip out the floor and start over. Harris will give them a quality point guard to re-build with. I doubt they will be able to trade Vince Carter with the huge contract he just got, but I would really like to see them re-build around Harris, Jefferson, and some of their talent down low. This team could be good immediately in a weak Eastern Conference, but I think they have a shot to be really good in a few years with some of the talent they have. Plus, Rod Thorn is an excellent general manager. The Nets will be okay as they head to Brooklyn in a few years.

Pat Morgan

Players mentioned to New Jersey changed with initial deal being shot down.