Nets Finally Send Kidd to Mavericks In Reworked Deal For Harris, Diop, Two 1st Round Picks, $3 million, and Expiring Contracts

The off again on again trade of Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks appears to have been re-worked and finalized today, after it was learned that semi-retired Keith Van Horn will fulfill all necessary physical components that the NBA requires. In the revised deal the New Jersey Nets will send point guard Jason Kidd, guard Antoine Wright, and foward Malik Allen to the Mavericks in exchange for younger (and significantly cheaper) point guard Devin Harris, center DeSagana Diop, foward Trenton Hassell, guard Maurice Ager, $3 million cash (in unmarked, non-sequential $20 bills, in a large dark duffle bag next to the mailbox on the corner of Main & 94th), 1st round picks in 2008 and 2010, and a sign and trade of semi-retired veteran Keith Van Horn, whom Dallas still has the rights to.

The NBA will have a conference call with both teams and involved parties on Tuesday to make sure everything is legit, and to make sure that Van Horn knows what is expected of him. Van Horn is expected to pocket approximately $4.3 million for reporting to New Jersey this week for a physical, then being available to the Nets to play for the rest of the season. Whether they will actually want him on his team, or will simpy buyout the contract to free up a roster spot will probably be determined next week, after the Nets can see what they are actually getting in person. Kidd is expected to fly to Dallas Tuesday to complete his physical and then presumably be introduced at a press conference with the team on Wednesday.

This trade doesn't seem like it will markedly improve the Mavericks, as they are sacrificing the young speed and explosiveness of Devin Harris and big man DeSagana Diop, in exchange for the aging and twice as costly Jason Kidd. Does this make them a better team than the new and improved Los Angeles Lakers or Phoenix Suns, or the old reliable San Antonio Spurs? It's doubtful, as all of those teams have a better roster, and are better positioned under the NBA's salary cap over the next few years. The Mavericks already had the NBA's highest total salary this year at $93.6 million (including $18.6 million for the bought out Michael Finley), and this will just serve to further limit their cap flexibility the next couple of years and continue to strip their roster of the developing young players they have drafted.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Nets president Rod Thorn has given up on the overpriced and overhyped Jason Kidd/Vince Carter/Richard Jefferson triptych that was making approximately $45 million this year and roughly $49.7 million next year. Don't be surprised if they try to unload one more of those expensive, yet innefective pieces before the trade deadline February 21st, as the youth movement should be in full swing, and they will have a fair amount of cap room to make moves over the next few years, and will be flush with draft picks.