"Early Bird" vetos trade

[skippy]

George creates snag in Kidd-to-Mavs deal

Posted: February 13, 2008

DALLAS (AP) -- Jason Kidd appeared headed to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday -- until Devean George's contract got in the way. George was supposed to be among the players headed from Dallas to New Jersey, but he blocked it because of a virtual no-trade clause as part of a contract status called "early Bird rights."

After Dallas beat Portland on Wednesday night, Mavs coach Avery Johnson said there was "zero" chance the deal would get done, but added that was "as of now."

George then said there's still a chance things can be worked out. He was waiting to meet with his agent, Mark Bartelstein, to discuss their options.

"We're not trying to hold things up or be difficult, but just like teams make tough decisions all the time -- about cutting players or making trades -- they do what's best for their team, and it's my obligation to do what's best for Devean," Bartelstein said during the game. "You don't want to stop teams from doing their business, but we don't feel like it makes sense at this time."

Whether this is a setback or a deal-breaker will be determined in the coming days. The trade deadline is the afternoon of Feb. 21.

The deal was supposed to be George, emerging point guard Devin Harris, veteran Jerry Stackhouse and reserves DeSagana Diop and Maurice Ager going to New Jersey and Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright going to Dallas, according to a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity because it wasn't finalized.

The obstacle is simply George, who doesn't want to leave the Mavs even though he's been injured and struggled to find a spot in the rotation. He went 0-for-11 with no points in 33 minutes of Dallas' 96-76 victory Wednesday night.

Word George blocked the trade apparently spread throughout the arena because George said he heard fans hollering things like, "C'mon, what are you doing?" and, "Stop it, you're holding things up." Other lines included, "Quit being selfish," and "We want Kidd."

"All the finger-pointing is at me," he said. "I'm the bad guy. I'll take that."

George's "early Bird rights," which come from being on his second one-year deal, mainly give him a chance to sign for more than the salary cap allows.

However, he's unlikely to command that much anyway. Still, he's able to take advantage now of the veto power that's also part of those rights, as per the NBA's collective bargaining agreement.

Nets coach Lawrence Frank was talking about life without his All-Star point guard prior to his team's 109-91 loss in Toronto.

"I love him. He's a very special person, but it's time for both him and the organization to part ways," Frank said. "We're giving up a Hall of Fame point guard and some good role players. If this deal goes through, we'll be receiving some very good players as well and a new era of Nets basketball will start because Jason is that significant a player."

Kidd, Allen and Wright were inactive for New Jersey. George and Diop played, while Harris, Stackhouse and Ager were inactive; Harris and Stackhouse are hurt and Ager is in the NBDL.

Stackhouse spoke before the game about moving on -- or, rather, not going anywhere. He indicated the Nets would buy out his contract, enabling him to re-sign with Dallas in a month.

"Getting bought out, if that happens, my first choice would be to come back to Dallas. I'm settled in, just bought a house," he said.

Stackhouse added he was only part of the trade "to make the numbers work."

A move for Kidd is an indication the Mavs are in a win-now mode. He is 10 years older than the 24-year-old Harris. Dallas has been close in recent years, losing in the NBA finals in 2006, then winning 67 games last season before flaming out in the first round.

Mavs officials have been reluctant to shake up their roster, but a recent slump and the moves by conference rivals may have helped change their minds. It's worth noting that while team owner Mark Cuban has a reputation of being a risk-taker, Kidd would be the first front-line player he's traded for since getting Antoine Walker in October 2003.

"I think Devin has a lot of upside, but Jason Kidd is the type of all-league point guard our teams needs," Stackhouse said. "We just need a jolt. Adding a player like him can re-energize a team, hopefully."

Dallas and New Jersey were in serious talks about Kidd earlier this month. Stackhouse said it was almost nailed down Tuesday night, then called off, only to be revived again Wednesday morning.

The West is as competitive and deep as it's been in years, with several upstarts joining the perennial powers. The Lakers got the trade game going by plucking Pau Gasol from Memphis, then last week Phoenix traded for Shaquille O'Neal. San Antonio also has added point guard Damon Stoudamire to its rotation.

Dallas (34-17) was tied with the Lakers for the third-best record in the West.

"It's been kind of stagnant all season," Stackhouse said. "I think you just try to find the right piece. Maybe this is the right piece that really helps our team, that gets our scorers easy opportunities. Getting Pau or Shaq wouldn't have helped that case. Getting a point guard, that gets you easy opportunities. It solves that issue for us."

Kidd broke into the league in 1994-95 when Dallas made him the third overall pick. He was voted co-Rookie of the Year, but the club was such a mess it was better known as the Mav-wrecks.

He went to New Jersey from Phoenix before the 2001-02 season, then led the Nets to the NBA finals in each of his first two seasons. But they haven't gotten past the second round of the playoffs since. With the club well under .500, he's been looking to get traded for months.

Although Kidd turns 35 on March 23, he's still among the league's best point guards. He's averaging 11.3 points, 10.4 assists and 8.1 rebounds.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press.

[skippy]

Devean George may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer.....but his agent is.

[skippy]

If the Jason Kidd trade is going to happen for Dallas, Eddie Jones will not be involved.

[skippy]

In addition to Devean George stopping the Jason Kidd trade, comments made by Jerry Stackhouse could also stop the deal.

[skippy]

There is no progress to report on the stalled Jason Kidd trade, but the Nets have also received offers from the Nuggets and the Cavs.

[skippy]

The Nets and Mavericks are closing in on a reconfigured Jason Kidd deal that could be finalized as soon as Monday.

[skippy]

The Jason Kidd Nets/Mavs trade seems to going through, thanks to Keith Van Horn.

[skippy]

Originally Posted by skippy

The Jason Kidd Nets/Mavs trade seems to going through, thanks to Keith Van Horn.

I just don't see how David Stern is going to allow this trade to go through.

Keith Van Horn is a retired player.....that hasn't played an NBA game in 2 years.

If a team is permitted to trade RETIRED players, then the NBA should allow the Celtics to trade Larry Bird to the Hornets for Chris Paul.

[RanPicks]

Van Horn is not retired... (I think) I know what you are saying - loop hole.

[skippy]

The Jason Kidd trade won't become official today, as the league hasn't had enough time to approve the trade's details.

[skippy]

Jason Kidd is not likely to be available for the Mavs on Wednesday, if the trade happens.

[skippy]

Keith Van Horn has agreed to sign a $4 million contract with Dallas, and Jason Kidd could be in a Mavs uniform by Wednesday.

[skippy]

Devin Harris is officially the Nets new starting point guard, as the Jason Kidd trade has been approved by the league.

[skippy]

Originally Posted by skippy

Devin Harris is officially the Nets new starting point guard, as the Jason Kidd trade has been approved by the league.

Devin Harris (ankle) says he won't take Jason Kidd's place in the Nets lineup for a week or more.

[skippy]

Originally Posted by skippy

I just don't see how David Stern is going to allow this trade to go through.

Keith Van Horn is a retired player.....that hasn't played an NBA game in 2 years.

If a team is permitted to trade RETIRED players, then the NBA should allow the Celtics to trade Larry Bird to the Hornets for Chris Paul.

Q: When is a trade NOT a trade in the NBA???

A: When they allow this sort of thing to happen over and over again.

Originally Posted by skippy

The Spurs have reportedly reached an agreement to acquire C Kurt Thomas from the Sonics for G Brent Barry.

Brent Barry was waived by the Sonics after Thursday's trade, and will reportedly be pursued by the Spurs, Suns and Rockets.