After weeks of speculation, the Mavs appear ready to pull the trigger.

The Nets are on the verge of trading the 9-time All-Star point guard Jason Kidd and possibly Malik Allen and Antoine Wright to the Mavericks in exchange for Devin Harris, Devean George, Jerry Stackhoue, DeSegana Diop, Maurice Ager, and a package of draft picks.

This is the 3rd blockbuster trade in the last month for the Western Conference's superpowers.

The Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, shot down this very scenario a few weeks ago with a simple email: "Step away from your crack dealer."

Apparently, Mark came back to his senses.

The Mavs peaked during their 2006 Western Conference Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs. They weren't going to get back to the mountaintop.

Despite a talented roster and 2006-2007 MVP Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks were missing something.

They needed a leader.

Problem solved.

Although Devin Harris had showed promise and is 8 years Kidd's junior, he was far from an All-Star or championship caliber point guard.

Jason is one of the 5 greatest point guards of all-time. He has carved out a Hall of Fame career and advanced to the NBA Finals twice playing alongside the likes of marginal talents Richard Jefferson & Kenyon Martin.

There have been rumblings that he's lost a step but I think those observations are highly exaggerated. Kidd was selected to the NBA's All-Defensive second team and averaged a triple double in the playoffs just last season. In leading the United States to the FIBA America's championship this past summer, Kidd was named the USA Basketball 2007 Male Athlete of the Year.

His game may seem to have deteriated some but it's amazing what a change of scenery can do. Especially considering this Mavs team will provide the most talented supporting cast of his NBA career.

Kidd will elevate All-Star Josh Howard & Dirk Nowitzki's play, both offensively and defensively.

While never a great scorer (his field goal % this season is at a career low 37%) Kidd has consistently delivered in the clutch. Dirk Nowitzki has not.

Pure and simple, Jason Kidd is a winner. Whether it's a key rebound, defensive stop, or an assist, Kidd always seems to come through. He will relish the opportunity to go up against Steve Nash (a player many believe has passed him on the list of historically great point guards) and rising young point guards Chris Paul & Deron Williams.

The trades that brought Pau Gasol to the Lakers and Shaquille O'Neal to the Suns seemed to have closed the door on the Mavs, essentially making the West a three team race (Spurs) to the Conference championship.

But Mark Cuban, never to be outdone, just made this NBA season that much more interesting.

Jason Kidd gets his wish to end his career where it began and compete for an NBA championship.



To those who love the game as much as I do, savor this NBA season, it doesn't get any better than this.