After many thought trade rumors involving New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd were squashed, the Dallas Mavericks agreed to a deal that will send young point guard Devin Harris, along with Jerry Stackhouse, DeSagana Diop, Devean George, Maurice Ager, cash and two future No. 1 draft picks to New Jersey in exchange for Kidd and forward Malik Allen. The Nets are expected to buy out the contract of Stackhouse. In a side deal, the Nets traded guard Antoine Wright to Dallas for a future second-round pick. Kidd has made it clear over the last year or so that he wants to be traded to a contender. It looks like he'll get his wish.
Why did Dallas make this trade?The Mavericks were exposed at point guard last season in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Baron Davis lit them up, forcing an embarrassing first-round elimination. Kidd provides energy, passing and veteran toughness at the point guard spot, as well as another leader to help take pressure off of Dirk Nowitzki.
Why did New Jersey make this trade?Nets' president Rod Thorn got what he wanted out of this deal, landing a young prospect in Harris, acquiring expiring contracts in Diop and George, and draft picks.
So far, 2008 has been the year of blockbuster trades in the NBA, after Pau Gasol was dealt to the Lakers and Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Shawn Marion. One wonders if Net's guard Vince Carter might be next in line to get dealt.
Jason Kidd re-joins the team that drafted him in 1994, teaming with star forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard in hopes of winning an NBA Championship. Kidd, who will be 35 years old in March, should bring high energy and passing to the Mavericks' back court.
Skeptics believe the Mavericks are giving up too much for an old point guard. Diop was a solid back up center who anchored the team's defense and Stackhouse was a reliable sixth man.
Here's a look at the team's depth chart after this deal.
- C. Erick Dampier - Dirk Nowitzki
- PF. Dirk Nowitzki - Malik Allen - Brandon Bass
- SF. Josh Howard - Juwan Howard
- PG. Jason Kidd - Jason Terry - Jose Juan Barea
- SG. Eddie Jones - Trenton Hassell - Antoine Wright
Assuming the Mavs can get healthy, this lineup may not be as thin as some think. Losing proven talent like Stackhouse certainly won't help matters on the team's bench, but Hassell and Juwan Howard are capable veterans and Jason Terry is a starter on most NBA teams. There is a hole at the back up center position, but overall this trade sets Dallas up well to make a run for the 2008 NBA Title. With so many great teams in the Western Conference, the Championship is up for grabs.
Jason Kidd is averaging 11.3 ppg, 8.1 rbpg, 10.4 apg and 1.5 spg this season in 51 games.
