Kidd-to-Mavericks trade hits snag
DALLAS – 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 to New Jersey, but he blocked it by not wanting to give up his “early Bird rights,” a provision earned by being in his second year and on his second contract with the Mavericks.
Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, a player who has “early Bird rights” at the end of a contract – like George has this year – has veto power over a trade because he’d lose those rights if dealt. By keeping them, Dallas could exceed the salary cap to re-sign him.
“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,” his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Wednesday night.
“You don’t want to stop teams from doing their business, but we don’t feel like it makes sense at this time. He’s starting right now and things are going pretty good.”
It was not immediately clear whether this was just a snag or a deal-breaker.
Kidd was supposed to be the centerpiece of a deal that reportedly was to send George, emerging point guard Devin Harris, veteran Jerry Stackhouse and reserves DeSagana Diop and Maurice Ager to the Nets, with forward Malik Allen going from New Jersey to the Mavericks.
Nets coach Lawrence Frank was even 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.”
Dallas (35-17) is tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the third-best record in the West. The Mavericks recently had two ugly losses – one against Kidd and the Nets on Sunday.