Leaving New Jersey: Where Jason Kidd Goes from Here

Earlier today, ESPN's Ric Bucher reported that Jeff Schwartz, the agent for Jason Kidd, has asked the Nets to try and trade Kidd by the February 21st deadline.

Kidd told Bucher, "Sometimes, when you ride a wave, you get to the end and that's all there is. That's where we are."

Although Kidd is no longer the player he once was, the soon-to-be 35 year-old is still averaging 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game. The rebounding and assist numbers are actually higher than his career averages.

Bucher reported that the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets have already expressed interest in acquiring Kidd.

Other teams, like the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, will surely call Nets' GM Rod Thorn in the next few days.

Kidd has one year left on a contract that is paying him close to $19.7 million this year and has him scheduled to make around $21.3 million next season.

Kidd will probably have some say in where he ends up, considering what he has done for the franchise since he arrived there in 2001. Kidd led the Nets to their only two NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.

Schwartz would also like to see Kidd end up on a team that will give him the extension he's eligible for at season's end.

Since Kidd's salary is so high and the Nets are over the cap, any trade would have to bring back incoming salaries within 125 percent + $100,000 of Kidd's $19.7 million.

What are the Nets looking for?

1. Cap Space 

The Nets are currently a smidgen above the NBA's luxury tax threshold. That doesn't seem that bad until you realize that they are eight games under .500 and in the midst of a nine-game losing streak.

The easiest way for a team to get cap space is by obtaining expiring contracts. Whichever team bids on Kidd will surely be asked for an expiring contract or two, or three.

This summer's free agent class can't be judged until those players with opt-out clauses determine their own fate.

Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis and Ron Artest are the most attractive potential free agents. Emeka Okafor, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Monta Ellis, and Josh Smith are some of the more attractive restricted free agents on the market this summer.

2. A Big Man

Since Kidd's arrival, the Nets have struggled to find themselves a legit big man. They thought they found him in Alonzo Mourning until Zo got sick and was eventually traded for Vince Carter.

Even when the Nets were in the NBA Finals they started Kenyon Martin at power forward—great athlete but not a true big.

Look at some of the names the Nets have had starting for them at power forward and center over the years: Jason Collins, Todd McCulloch, Nenad Krstic, Brian Scalabrine, Mikki Moore, Dikembe Mutombo, and Aaron Williams.

3. A Point Guard

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