Jason Kidd may yet end up with the Dallas Mavericks as the cornerstone of the seven-player deal with the New Jersey Nets that was apparently completed Wednesday … but not unless Devean George says so.
You see, the nine-year veteran forward is on his second contract with Mavs, and because can he invoke his “Early Bird Rights” to be paid above the salary cap under Collective Bargaining Agreement rules, it also allows him to veto a trade. Agent Mark Bartelstein figured it was best to discuss this with George first and initially block the trade.
Of course, that didn’t do much for George’s popularity in Dallas during the Mavs’ 20-point win over the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. He drew taunts from the crowd, started unexpectedly because Josh Howard’s back is still having problems, and George’s response was a goose egg – 0-for-11 from the field in 33 minutes.
Nonetheless, this is an enormous deal that has far-ranging ramifications for the Western Conference and could either cause the two teams to reconsider the deal altogether, attempt to reconstruct it with different players, or just hope George ultimately concedes and ends up with the Nets.
But if he does stand by his rights and Kidd never does get moved to the Mavs, it wouldn’t be the first time one player got in the way of a huge deal. In fact, it brings to mind the infamous Matt Geiger. You remember Geiger, the balding 7-footer who played for the Heat, Hornets and Sixers during his 10-year career, don’t you?
What most people don’t remember, however, is how he changed the course of NBA history.
In the summer of 2000, the Sixers initiated a four-team, 12-player trade that included the Hornets, Pistons and Lakers that would have sent Allen Iverson and Geiger to the Pistons, with 10 others players swapping uniforms from coast-to-coast. But Geiger had a $1.2 million trade kicker that he wouldn’t give up, so the NBA wouldn’t approve the deal because the extra money imbalanced the salary cap rules among the 12 players. Consequently, the trade wouldn’t work as it was constituted, and there were so many other moving parts, the four teams walked away from the trade.
Well, the Sixers – with Iverson and Geiger – proceeded to win the Eastern Conference and even beat the Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals before falling in five games. Iverson won the Most Valuable Player award that season, and he and coach Larry Brown continued their love/hate relationship for another two years until Brown left for Detroit. Iverson, of course, stuck around until he was dealt to Denver last season.
Nonetheless, that gave Geiger a legacy that carries far more weight than the 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds he averaged that storied season for the Sixers or the 9.2 points and 5.7 points he averaged during his journeyman career.
As for George, well, the 30-year-old already has three championship rings having been on that Lakers team that beat the Sixers, along with the Pacers and Nets during the 2000-02 run. In fact, the 2002 win featured the 6-8, 220-pounder draining an unlikely number of 3-pointers during the Finals that allowed him to sign an inflated four-year, $18.5 million contract that the Lakers soon regretted.
And that brings us back to the more reasonable $2.5 million contract he has today that fits a role player averaging 3.6 points in 14 minutes a game. In fact, it even emphasizes the obvious fact that “Early Bird Rights” or not, with those kind of numbers at his age, he’s not going to get more money than the $2.5 million he’s making regardless of the CBA.
So what’s it going to be, DG?
You either accept the deal or live in infamy alongside Geiger.
This trade is crazy. If I were a fan of Dallas, I would be thanking DG for holding this up, and if he manages to get the whole deal scrapped, I would start a petition to name a street after him in the city!
Dallas is giving up way too much of their core and future for an aging star. Devin Harris is only going to get better, while Kidd is only going to continue to decline. Dallas has plenty of time to reach their goals, and I don't think I've seen a team have as much fun or unity as the current players of the Mavs share.
When I went to see the Lakers play them in Dallas, I was blown away. They truly like each other and that's a huge plus.
I hate to be the one to break this to Mike, but the majority of postings Ive seen suggest that Mav fans DO NOT want Kidd back. Especially at the price the Mavs will pay for Kidd. He isnt worth that many guys. I could see Deveon George (only because he has been asking for a trade), and Maurice Ager, the draft picks and the money as legit, but not Devin Harris and Jerry Stackhouse. How many times has Devin Harris gone coast to coast and score before the opponenet even knew what was going on? And who hit the clucth 3 pointer to beat the Clippers this year? If you cant answer these questions with no hesitation, then you dont need to be posting here! Much props to Deveon George for blocking this trade! Hopefully the trade talks fizzle out because of this.
And to anyone who says that the Mavs cant beat the new Lakers or Suns, Let me ask you this: Was Dallas still able to beat Memphis with Gasol and Miami with Shaq? Answer: YES. And for those who dont know, Gasol with ball hog Kobe wont work for very long. Especially when Kobe realizes he lost his spotlight. And Shaq is good, but Dallas has 3 7 footers that can stick him if they want. Take you pick......
And one more thing. It doesnt seem like its about the money. Anybody watching ESPNEWS last night would know this. He would be going from potential NBA Champ Dallas to nobody New Jersey. You tell me if that kind of move would sit right with you if you were being traded like that.
Jason Kidd may be good, but he is not worth that many guys!!! Deal him to the Cavs like they were first talking about.
Last edited by Joe76316 on February 14th at 8:38 AM.
I do feel that Devean George not such a great player BUT i do appreciate that he blocked the contract as having Devin Harris involved in this dilemma not so good. Seems to me like Cuban will be making another wrong trade as he did with Steve Nash trying to find a good PG GO MAVS all we want in DALLAS is a title!!!
DEVEAN GEORGE YOU ARE THE MAN! KEEP JASON KIDD OUT OF THE WEST, ITS TOO STACKED OVER HERE FOR ANOTHER ALL NBA PERFORMER. ALL I HAVE IS ONE QUESTION, WOULDNT THE NBA BE MORE ENTERTAINING IF THE EASTERN CONFRENCE JUST FELL OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH? BESIDES THE CELTICS AND PISTONS CAUSE ILL GIVE THEM PROPS CAUSE THEY ARE BALLIN'. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH DEVEAN GEORGE KEEP THIS UP AND DONT LET THIS DEAL GO DOWN. IF I SAW YOU ON THE STREET I WOULD HUG AND APPLAUD YOU OPENLY. GO NUGGETS!!!!!
George is horrible. He doesn't want to leave simply because without the Mavs, he wouldn't get a ring, and his play #### so bad that he can't help ANY team win.
I could have seen the mavs giving this kind of trade for Gasol but not for J kidd. Thank God for George. The Mavs will be fine if they keep these players. Other teams vets arent getting any younger.
way to ruin all the fun George. If you weren't in this trade I wouldn't have realized you were still in the league. Shut your face and pack your bags, you deserve to get lampooned in Jersey.
Way to go 0-11 last night George. If it wasnt for magic like that who would know you were still in the league? Pack your bag and hush up, you deserve to get lampooned in jersey.
Nobody Knows Matt Geiger An He Is Far From Infamous. To Me It Doesn't Make Sense To Hold Up The Trade, But In Reality It's His Decision. Whatever He Thinks Is Best For Him. You Have No Way To Discount His Choice
Allright, I hate to play GM.... How about moving Walton $4mil, Mbenga $90K to Dallas for George $2.36mil, and Diop $2.1mil. We could also ask for some cash from Dallas. This would work if the Nets would'nt mind. Their key player is Devin Harris and the draft picks anyway. This would help the Lakers in a BIG way. We would now have a Big post defender in the paint in Diop at 7' 260lbs, and George is a better rebounder, and finisher than Walton ever was. We need George to come in and immediately solve our small foward problem, which we are still waiting for Ariza to heel (get it). Let's do it.
Joe...In all fairness, beating the Gizzlies with Gasol and beating the Heat with Shaquille, just isn't quite like beating either one with their new teams. I think it is a pretty good assumption that they both play with better supporting casts now. The game isn't so much a man match-up as it is a team match-up. The Lakers and Suns are just better teams than the Heat and Grizz. Is this trade to much for Dallas to relinquish? Over the long haul it is safe to assume that Harris has much more of a career ahead of him than Kidd, but Kidd gives them the better chance to win a title now. Stackhouse really isn't part of it. He is set to be bought out by the Nets and return to the Mavs in 1 month. He just gets a nice vacation. So in reality the trade boils down to Kidd for Harris,Diop,and George.Players such as Diop and George are a "dime a dozen".It's a no brainer from here.
I know Deveon George would love to come back to LA. Mavs want Kidd, Nets want Harris, and Lakers wouldn't mind getting a big man in Diop and versatile forward in George. Mavs need to contact the Lakers to make this happen, if they are really serious about getting Kidd.
When it comes to contracts and money...one must protect self before any team. It's the same in any work industry. What do I lose with this decision...how is my life altered with this decision? Signing contracts before reading and understanding the language...consequences is costly. I don't blame DG...cover yourself.
Dallas is definitely giving up too much. They should slow down and think. Plus, with Kidd on the team...do the MAVS become favorites in the Western Conf or even slated for the Finals?
I am suprised so many Dallas fans don't want to give up Harris for Kidd. Harris is a one man fast break, but he does not open up the offense for the playmakers on the team. Kidd does this immediately, is a playmaker himself, plus he boards well and runs the break to perfection. Harris can't even run a play without looking for Avery's guidance. I mean, people can have personal favorites and dislike Kidd for whatever reason, but I think he makes this team much better for this year and next. If you don't think so, you obviously don't know how good Kidd really is (WAY better than Deavon). As the alaskanballa aptly stated, this trade comes down to Harris and Diop (plus picks) for Kidd. Diop's presence is nice this year, but he is replaceable in the off season. Also, I expect everyone's offensive stats to improve, especially Terry and Bass. Harris is still a couple years away AT LEAST from getting it offensively. He is a quick and somewhat lengthy defender, but not a strong one, he is not shutting people down night in and night out. It's debateable whether you drop off in D, but Kidd lets you exploit all the offensive mismatches that Harris acts like he is oblivious to.
In any event, Dallas has some perimeter defenders already, what they lack is good ball movement, and the shot selection suffers. Who better to address that problem than Kidd? It can only benefit this talented team by having a leader run the offensive sets, not a 'tweaner.
I knew someone would say that. Aside from that year, the Mavs haev beaten the Heat pretty consistently since then. But I will give you that year.......
and alaskanballa, I do agree that having a better supporting cast will make someone play better, but with the Suns and Shaq, Shaq is going to be their down low guy. He will have the same role that he always has had. I am not ragging on Shaq at all. I think he is a great player, but his role is always the same, ,and he is the only perosn on the team who will play that much down low. So if you can contain his down low play in Miami, and he comes to the Suns, and you can fairly conatin the Suns, (Suns and Mavs is always a toss up), you can still conatin the Suns because you can still conatin both aspects of what they have.... Its a matter of putting 2 and 2 together...... Dallas still has a couple of big men that they can put on Shaq (Dampier or Diop) and conatin him nicely because Shaq and them are the same size....
Last edited by Joe76316 on February 14th at 10:38 AM.
This Kidd deal is risky, no doubt. NJ is not giving away Kidd like Memphis did Gasol, but that Memphis trade is a red herring. Those types of deals happen once a decade, it cannot be the measuring stick for future trades. In the real world terms like 'risk' and 'compromise' apply. Kudos to LA for getting it done, but they didn't take any risk. I think Cuban and Avery deserve even MORE credit if they get the Kidd deal done, becuase their decision is much more difficult. Obviously it would be nice to hold on to Harris, but that is not a reality to get a player of Kidd's calliber. Potential does not help Dallas this year and most likely next. I don't have faith in Harris running the offensive sets, and apparently neither does Avery. If you don't understand how imporant a true PG is in basketball, it is probably b/c you have never played basketball. Kidd has plenty left in the tank for this year and next.
My deal is this. Dallas is built to score, their mismatches are all offensive, they play defense by committee (as most teams do). Harris is not setting the table for these guys, the ball is stagnating, it is not finding scorers in the right positions. Of course you want both, but give me a great scorer over a great defender ANY DAY (especially from the guard position). I love Harris, I think he has great potential, but holding him back for JASON KIDD? C'mon fellas, I can't blame you for not watching NJ ball this year, but the Kidd still has the goods.
DrNever - true
KobeLaker - False, no Laker fan wants George back. He is aweful
Joe - False, to say the Suns with Shaq wont beat Dallas because Dallas always beat Miami with Shaq could be the most mind-numbingly over-simplified analysis i've ever read... ever. No, really, EVER...
Kahn - well written analysis
At the risk of beating a dead horse, I want to address people who want Harris over Kidd. Where a player gets the ball and the spacing around him are so important. Dirk is Dallas' best option. If he gets the ball 19' from the rim, to get his BEST shot he must drive with the ball. This is not Dirk's strength. B/c of this, if a decent defender is on him, the double does not have to come (until he drives), the lane remains clogged, and everyone remains covered. Thus, Dirk either takes the long contested J or drives a clogged lane with covered teamates. Conversley, if Dirk gets it 12-15' from the rim, he is already in a position to hit a fade-away with 50%+ consistency (like Kobe). Since he can shoot over anyone, the double must come immediately. This gives Dirk the option to shoot a high percentage shot or dish to an open 'mate. Harris is not finding Dirk at his spots, which has a negative psychological effect as well. Kidd puts them in a much more confident attack mode. Plus, the more and easier it is for Dallas to score, the more pressure it puts on their opponents to keep up. This deal is a no-brainer.
If I were George, I'd hold up the proceedings to get as much as I could out of the situation. What's he got to lose? After all, he's going to a team that's going nowhere. At least in Dallas, he'd be in the playoffs with a chance for another ring. In Jersey, what's he got to look forward to, as far as basketball is concerned? I'd drag it out for all it's worth. Hey, management signed the contract too. Make them own up to it or pay.
Last edited by funkadelic on February 14th at 1:16 PM.
for those that are saying its a bad deal because dallas is giving up too much..
do u realize that stackhouse is getting waived by the nets so in 30 days he can sign back with the mavs! which is what he said he is doing.
so with that in mind..its a great trade for the mavs...kidd may be aging, but he is one of the best playmakers in history, and he is also as competative and tough as they get..
arent these attributes exactly what the mavs need to get over the hump...a true PG who is a leader, and some legit grit.
with stackhouse going back, its great trade for the mavs championship hopes.
To all those people who are saying that Dallas is giving up way too much, all I can say is it's worth it. I say this because I've been proven by the Celtics. Some might say that was KG and all but to me it's the same sort of deal. They gave up a bunch of scrubs and one stud for KG and look at the Celts now(best record in the NBA). You can't legitimatly contend for the title in this league unless you have three stars on your team. Case and point the Spurs. Everyone knows this, especially out west. Hence the reason why the Lakers got Gasol and the Suns-Shaq. The Lakers got Kobe, Gasol and Odom, not to mention Bynum is starting to get double-teamed. The Suns- Nash, STAT and now Shaq and most of you will say Shaq is done but to me he has been the most dominant big man in the league in the past 10 years or more. Regardless he will still get doubled or he dunk on your head or get the bigs in foul trouble. Not to mention your rotation better be sharp when you double him b/c of all the shooters on that team. So Dallas saw this and say we need a third star, which is totally understandable because they want to compete. Everyone knows about the Spurs so... To me the only other team that's doing well is the Hornets but they lack three superstars. CP3 is and David West requires serious attention but outside of that who do they got that can take over the game? No One. Their record is amazing but come April everyone knows is a different ball game. D-George needs to realize that his time in the league will soon be up and he shouldn't burn any bridges shoot barely anyone remembers wh
Read my posting a little more carefully. I said since the 06 Finals, Dallas has consistently beat Miami. Which means they can take them but they dont ALWAYS win, as you imply I said. And all I am saying is that if Dallas can contain Shaq playing Miami, and when they play the Suns, they can contain the Suns, (Not all the time, hence my "toss up" comment. Its there...), put two and two together, and Dallas can contain Shaq and the Suns. It may not happen all the time, but people are going around saying Dallas cant beat the new Lakers and the new Suns. But take a look at the season so far. They can, and personally, I think they will.
Read my posting a little more carefully. I said since the 06 Finals, Dallas has consistently beat Miami. Which means they can take them but they dont ALWAYS win, as you imply I said. And all I am saying is that if Dallas can contain Shaq playing Miami, and when they play the Suns, they can contain the Suns, (Not all the time, hence my "toss up" comment. Its there...), put two and two together, and Dallas can contain Shaq and the Suns. It may not happen all the time, but people are going around saying Dallas cant beat the new Lakers and the new Suns. But take a look at the season so far. They can, and personally, I think they will.
I have conflicting feelings about the trade. I think it's good in the short term and gives the Mavs a shot at winning this year because Kidd gives them the intangible toughness and leadership they lack to win it standing pat. He'll rebound tough, defend tough and distribute the ball to everybody.
It hurts them badly losing Diop inside because Dampier only plays hard 10 games a year, and there's nobody else. Plus Harris has a chance to be special in the next year or two when Kidd will be done. But I don't blame them for going for it.
When you're as close as they were and didn't get the title, a move of desperation for the short term isn't necessarily the wrong thing to do. Thanks for writing.
Laker fan here saying that George definately sucks and I can't believe he ever earned a no-trade clause. And unless you are a superstar, or the biggest name involved in any trade, how do you veto it? First of all I would think its ackward staying on a team that wanted to send you away. Plus all your teammates and fans are pissed at you for blocking a move that would make them better.
In order to win the NBA Championship this year we have to beat out the following teams: the lakers the best team in the NBA right now, then the Celtics the next best, and then the Suns.
So then we need to look to see if the trade will help us match up better against them - if so then we need to do the trade.
Reality Check!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You just can NOT give up all they are going to for KIDD. New Jersey would come out on top of this trade, without question!
Thanks DG. Maybe Cuban will do a little more "thinking" before he pulls the trigger.
"steveNash come to anyones mind?"
Well guess what folks NOT very many people here in Dallas want Kidd back here. Most think that Cuban is taking advice from Mr. Hicks on personnel. Hang in there Devean,most of us are on your side
Well this trade now has more trouble than before. Stackhouse ,by opening his mouth about coming back to the Mavs, he violated the rules about secret deals.
This goes back to the Joe Smith & T-Wolves and their secret deal.
Unless they don't include him, he will be Net or he can only play with anyone but the Mavs.
See what happens when you open your mouth???
Joe, i don't understand how you can bring up Dallas beating Memphis with Gasol on their team, and saying it will be the same when they play the Lakers with Gasol in their squad, whatever you're smoking, pass it on this way cheech. Also if you read earlier reports, there is a chance that New Jersey will buy out Stackhouses contract which would let him re-sign with the Mavs after 30 days. i agree that Devin Harris is improving, but I don't understand why people keep talking about building for the future. You think the Lakers and Suns are thinking of the future with the trades that were just made? Dirk and Terry is not getting younger and Howard is not going to do it by himself, and even if Harris sticks around, what does that do for their team, the same it did last year?
Last edited by researchb4utalk on February 14th at 4:01 PM.
All this talk about Jason Kidd and Shaq reminds me that in about 30 years I will need to get my prostate checked and they are already old. Why would you give up young and promising players for somebody who is on their way out? I just don't understand. I guess thats why the Lakers have reigned for so long. Dallas and Phoenix are on their way out just like the new "elderly" players they look to add to their teams.
Last edited by ThisIsLosAngeles on February 14th at 4:08 PM.
Dallas is definitely giving up too much. They should slow down and think. Plus, with Kidd on the team...do the MAVS become favorites in the Western Conf or even slated for the Finals?
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he does not have a no trade clause he took advantage of a salary loophole to rty and extort more money and years out of the mavs before the trade.
he stayed in the league because he is a tall wing who can play decent defense
I am a Laker fan, and have been all my life. I have always liked Jason Kidd and what he has brought to every team he has played for. However, that being said Kidd has never lead any team to the promise land. He has been in very talented teams and could not get them the big prize. I think Dallas is doing the wrong thing here. They keep bolstering their roster with great players and still cant find a way to win when it matters most. I still like the Lakers all the way. I know everything has been said already about the Pau Gasol trade and what he and Bynum and Kobe can do for the team. However, I think the Lakers are the team to beat because of their stellar bench play. The bench is what is going to make the difference in the playoffs. KB and the Lakeshow fo' life. BEEEEEEOOOOOTCHES!!!!!!
He didnt have a no trade close (ie: Kobe Bryant) he has a 1 Year Bird.
The 1 year bird is built to trade players with a 1-year contract, excluding options, who will become Early Bird or Bird free agents at the end of the contract, or players who have accepted a qualifying offer for a 5th season following the 4th option season on the Rookie Scale. If the player consents, he will lose his Bird rights and become a non-Bird free agent at the end of the contract.
As of now Dallas Mavericks could be considered the best choke team in NBA history. Losing to Miami with a 2-0 lead in the series, and not just losing but choking it away and last seasons 1st round defeat as a 1 seed I'd have to give it to them. They need a change of character bad.
They need Kidd. He has nine triple doubles this season already, he is still the best team general in the NBA.
They did choke...but they have to get their minds right and not give it away when it counts the most (they have the right people to win it). I am glad George did this. I love Kidd and he would be great...just not for Harris, Diop, Stack, Ager, $3 MIL, two 1st rounders, The AAC, the Mavs dancers, an airplane, free steak dinners for a year, and a pack of Newports.
The Maverick need a player with heart and knows how to get them over the hump. Regardless of what anyone says Dallas is a good team not great Jason Kidd can get them over the hump. Even though he is up in age he still have a few good years in him and the Mav need to win now the window is closing. Make the trade!
