NBA Trade: Jason Kidd to the Mavericks

Undisclosed NBA sources have confirmed to ESPN and Hoopsworld that the Nets and the Mavericks have reached an agreement.

According to the deal, the Nets will receive Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, Dasagna Diop, Maurice Ager, two first round picks and cash considerations.

The Mavericks will get Jason Kidd and Malik Allen in return.

Clearly, the Nets will benefit from this trade. The trade was not made for the sole reason of creating more salary cap space in summer. The talented, young point man Harris will become the Nets point guard of the future.

He is ten years younger than Kidd, is a better scorer and comes at a much cheaper price. Devean George is an expiring contract ($2,369,111 off the books this summer) who brings veteran leadership and three championship rings to the team.

Diop, whose contract ($2,146,000) also expires this summer, is a solid big man who can rebound and defend, while Ager brings additional backcourt depth to the Nets.

It is interesting to note that, while the West, with the addition of Pau Gasol and Shaq to the playoff teams, has become bigger, the Mavs traded one of the better low post defenders in Diop. 

The Mavericks should get their backup scorer Jerry Stackhouse back though, as he is expected to be bought out of his deal and should immediately rejoin Dallas.

Kidd will join Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard in a quest to bring the Mavericks back to the Finals. The addition of Kidd's abilities to rebound and pass means that the Mavs will be expected to run more.

Statistically, Dallas relies heavily on the isolation of Nowitzki, Howard and Terry. Coach Avery Johnson will have to introduce some major changes in order to fit Kidd into the system.

However, the best scorers for the Mavericks are young and athletic. They will have no problems adapting to the more run-oriented offensive game. 

It is obvious that the Mavericks are looking at short term goals with this deal. They gave up the young Harris for 34 year old Jason Kidd and expect the new Dallas Big Three to deliver the title this year.