OK, sure, stacking Josh Howard, Jason Terry and former MVP Dirk Nowitzki around him was no more successful than surrounding him with Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, but you know what they say: 18th time's the charm. And it's in that spirit that Jason Kidd re-enters the NBA free agency market.
The Dallas Morning News reports that Kidd is expected to have quite the buffet of suitors once he hits the market, with the Mavericks leading the way. Other options for the former All-Star include New York, Cleveland, Portland, Boston, and even possibly the Lakers. The Lakers are unlikely to be leaders in the hunt unless Jeannie Buss patents cold fusion in the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile New York has the dough, but it's trying to build long-term pieces to entice whatever 2010 free agent it targets. Dallas can offer the most money, but it's going to be hard to convince Kidd that Dallas is close to a championship. Cleveland would be a nice option, but unfortunately the addition of Kidd's ego alongside LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal would create some sort of rift in the space-time continuum resulting in the complete destruction of the known universe. And that can affect your team chemistry.
Portland may present the best option. Portland's shown it has the young pieces to contribute to a championship team, but needs veteran leadership to put it in position to battle with the major contenders.
Kidd's skills continue to diminish and it's safe to say no one's going to be trading a Devin Harris-type player for him any time soon, but he can still be an impact player for a team. Free agency is upon us. Let the madness begin.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
It is beginning to look like a NBA title is going to elude Jaosn Kidd. When he firts entered the league with the J's (Jackson, Jones and Jamal I thought it was just a matter of time before he wins a title and establish the team as a dynasty, but egos and eternal fueding ended that thought. When he was with the Nets he had another opportunity to win a title but the hopes and dreams were dashed because they did not have a big man to battle Shaq or take advantage of the lack of a dominant center when they played the Spurs. When he went back to Dallas there was no real chance of winning a championship as long as they rely on Dirk Nowitski despite his impressive stats continues to come up small in big time games. The Mavericks needed and still needs a center that can and lookls to score, rebound, put back shots and play defense(Camby and others) that will take the weight off of Dirk. Going to the Knicks, Portland, Boston will not give him a chance to win or compete for a title. The Knicks are in rebuild mode and Portland although they have the pieces to compete for a title, seems confused about the direction that they are heading. Which brings us to Boston. Boston is the dominant team that they are because of the play of Rajon Rondo who does not get the credit he so rightfully deserves. The defense STARTS WITH HIM pressuring the other teams point guard. Rajon has shown his willingness to pass rebound and score when needed. Jason Kidd when he plays is oftentimes to passive on the offensive end which makes it a 4 on 5 basketball game. If Kidd goes to Cleveland or any other team in the East he may have to take come off of the bench. If Orlando is able to get Rasheed Wallace to play the 4 and move Lewis to his natural 3 spot the Magic will repeat as NBA Eastern Conference Champions and Kidd will wander around for the next couple of years trying to find a team in which he can latch on to in order to win a title. I would like to see Kidd get 10,000 rebounds before he reitre so that he can have a triple double for his career (10k plus rebounds, points and assist)
tyrekyoung , I don't think the Blazers are serious contenders this coming year, but I don't see how they are at all confused about the direction of their team. They're missing a few pieces (which may be on the roster in the persons of Bayless and Batum), but its clear what they want to do, and how close they are. The offense in particular is already one of the most effective in the league.
Actually Kidd and Lebron are very close. They have both made public comments about wanting to play together. Kidd said that he wouldn't care if he was on the bench so long as he could watch Lebron play every day.
Even if Kidd did go to Cleveland and came off of the bench, their problem is not at the guard position. I'm sick and tired of people saying that there back court is too small. Delonte West is 6'3 which is only 2 or 3 inches shorter than the average 2 guard; Lee from the Magic is 6'5.
Maurice Willaims and Rafer Alston are both 6' 1 which is the average height for a point guard. Again the problem for Cleveland is not at the point guard position, it's at the power forward spot. They need a power forward that can score and will look to score when the opportunity permits. The Oralando Magis have five players that can score and look for their shot. Cleveland on the other hand have Lebron and Mo and sometimes big Z. Having Kidd another nonscore will not make a difference.
Wolfy4Prez: Lebron and Kidd may be good vibes, but Shaq is also on the team now. Egos will always filter out once playing time becomes insignificant. Especially for a player like Kidd who has been a starter most of his playing time.
Then, again, why would Cleveland have to pay so much for a back-up player?
He should go to the Lakers. Although Derek Fisher hit big shots, he struggled the whole game and routinely gets beat or posted up. Every team we played, he got used, by bigger faster guards. Kidd would be a perfect fit at the veterans minimum and have his best shot at actually starting for a contender.
You may be right about Shaq, I have no idea how he and Kidd would hit it off. Regardless, I think that Kidd resigns with the Mavs anyways. Tyrek is right, the Cavs will go after a PF like Villanueva.