Mavericks again close on landing Kidd

NEW ORLEANS – It was one of those only-in-the-NBA moments. A month's worth of rumor and speculation, Jerry Stackhouse's loose lips, Devean George's line-in-the-sand protest, Keith Van Horn's unlikely payday, a trade having gone from on to off to back on, all of it boiling together for one half-minute burst in the second quarter of Sunday's All-Star game.

It was then that Jason Kidd found himself guarding Dirk Nowitzki. Forced into a defensive switch on the Dallas Mavericks forward, Kidd stared up and smiled. Kobe Bryant, his own worknight long since done, shouted from the bench for his West teammate to "take the midget."

Kidd laughed. "I kind of wanted him to score because he's going to be my teammate," he said later. "You've got to be nice to your teammates."

So ended one of the more bizarre weeks of Kidd's life. In the next couple days he hopes to finally get his wish when the Mavericks and New Jersey Nets, having feverishly worked to revive a trade thought near-dead only 48 hours earlier, again try to complete a deal to send the All-Star point guard to Dallas.

Kidd cautioned Sunday that anything can happen. Physicals still have to be taken. Van Horn, who hasn't played since the end of the 2005-06 season, still has to get on a plane to collect a two-month contract believed to be worth nearly $4 million. But that obstacle appeared to be lifted Monday when Van Horn reportedly agreed to the contract and terms that he must report to the Nets, likely for at least 30 days.

Nets president Rod Thorn told reporters in New Jersey Monday evening that the trade "appears to be a go."

"My agent said they were very close," Kidd said, "but I heard that Wednesday."

Kidd was referring to the agreement in principle the Nets and Mavericks had last week. He had even begun to say goodbye to his teammates in New Jersey before learning George had unexpectedly blocked the trade by exercising a little-known clause in his contract. Stackhouse then complicated matters by telling the Associated Press he planned to re-sign with the Mavericks as soon as the Nets bought out his contract.

Those comments angered rival team executives, who claimed the two teams might have a prearranged agreement in place, a violation of NBA rules. NBA commissioner David Stern said the league looked into the matter and spoke with both teams, after which the Mavericks and Nets agreed to substitute Trenton Hassell for Stackhouse to avoid the risk of a full-blown investigation. Van Horn replaced George in the trade.

If completed, the trade will send Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, Hassell and Van Horn for Kidd, two first-round draft picks, $3 million, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright.

Less than four years after Cuban refused to re-sign Steve Nash to a lucrative, long-term contract because he thought Nash's body would eventually succumb to the rigors of too many 82-game seasons, the Mavericks owner is now gambling his team's immediate future on the talent and toughness of a soon-to-be 35-year-old point guard, who, while dealing with his own back problems, still ranks among the all-time best at his position.

Though the Mavericks are giving up a lot in the deal – Diop's length would be valued against Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal, and Harris was a good counter to Tony Parker – Kidd also could give Dallas the finishing kick it needs to win its first championship.

"Don't underestimate the value of star power," said one West executive. "Jason Kidd? He's a star. Get him. Shaquille O'Neal? He's a star. Get him."

That's just what the West has done in recent weeks with three of the conference's powers loading up in talent. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis, the Phoenix Suns swapped Shawn Marion for O'Neal and now the Mavericks are again on the verge of gaining Kidd. Even the Utah Jazz's acquisition of Kyle Korver has been a boon to their playoff chances.

The Atlanta Hawks made an impressive West-to-East move Saturday in landing Sacramento Kings point guard Mike Bibby for four expiring contracts. But even that paled in comparison to the West's recent transactions.

"That's the West, man," said Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, who spent more than a decade in the conference. "It's always been a gunslinger-type atmosphere when it comes to that conference. They don't call it the Wild West for nothing."

The conference also might not be done loading up. Two league sources said Sunday the Denver Nuggets were in "full pursuit" of Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest, with team officials discussing a package involving Linas Kleiza, Eduardo Najera and a first-round pick. The Nuggets, according to another West source, also have been in talks with the Memphis Grizzlies regarding point guard Kyle Lowry. Denver would likely give up Von Wafer and a draft pick.

Denver forward Carmelo Anthony has publicly lobbied for Artest. Asked if he would be upset if the Nuggets didn't make a move, Anthony said, "I don't want to give an answer on that."

For now, at least, Kidd seems prepared for what he'll have to face if his trade is completed. There are few off nights in the West. And while the Mavericks are only two games off the conference lead, they're also just 2½ from falling out of the playoffs.

The best part of the trade for Kidd? The chance to make good in the city where his career began. Dallas seemed to have a bright future with its Three J's (Jason Kidd, Jamal Mashburn and Jimmy Jackson) before their selfishness and immaturity broke the trio apart.

"We were young," Kidd said. "But there's been a lot of basketball played between then and now. I've seen a lot."

That included Sunday. Midway through the second quarter, Kidd rotated to help and looked up. Within arm's reach, smiling back at him, stood his future.