NBA Rumors: Jason Kidd Must Return Next Season for 1 Last Run at Championship

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd is just one more loss away from becoming a free agent this summer, and according to one report, he's ready to walk away from the game if the right contract offer doesn't come his way. 

But regardless of what kind of deal Kidd is offered this summer, the 39-year-old point guard should take one more run at hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy next season. His best bet may be signing whatever deal the Mavericks offer, too. 

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Kidd is prepared to retire this offseason if he isn't offered something better than the veteran's minimum for the 2012-13 season. 

"Hearing Jason Kidd isn't interested in playing for a vets minimum or small exception," Mannix tweeted. "If he doesn't get a mid-level type offer, he'll quit."

Kidd has spent the last five years with the Mavericks, leading the team to the playoffs in every season since Kidd arrived from New Jersey in 2007. The Mavericks won the NBA title last summer, defeating the Miami Heat in six games. 

Dallas all but sacrificed the 2011-12 season for the chance to sign Dallas native and fellow free-agent point guard Deron Williams this summer. Tyson Chandler was shipped to New York and the team ignored Kidd's pending free agency.

But even if the Mavericks do sign Williams and offer Kidd nothing more than the veteran's minimum or exception, Kidd should take it. He'd be a perfect backup option to Williams in 2012-13, and the Mavericks will come back as a strong Western Conference contender with an elite guard leading the show in Williams. 

The stat sheet says Kidd averaged 6.2 points, 5.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals over the course of 48 games this season. It's clear that he offers much more than what the stats can show, however.

Kidd offers attributes that very few at his position in the NBA can. Kelly Dwyer at Yahoo!'s Ball Don't Lie blog probably put it best. 

"

...Kidd is a weird player now that does things with the ball that a whole heap of ball dominating youngsters just haven't gotten familiar with. He takes chances and probes the defense in ways that don't show up in the assist ledger, surprising defenses that are used to defending the same, stale, pick-and-roll basketball 80 other times a year.

"

Kidd will turn 40 years old in March of next year, and he hasn't shot over 40 percent since the 2009-10 season. But with Williams on board, Kidd won't be asked to play big minutes, take many shots or make big defensive stops. He'd be an ultimate role player for a team that could use the glue next season.

He should have all summer to make the decision, but I wouldn't rule out the Mavericks from offering a reasonable one-year deal to give the Hall of Fame point guard one last chance, even if it comes as a reserve role.

Still, no one would blame Kidd for retiring, especially if he's being asked to play for a dirt cheap price. The full NBA schedule is a long one for a soon-to-be 40-year-old.

But just a year removed from the taste of a championship—Kidd's first in the NBA—will make it harder for him to walk away. Taking the Mavericks' best offer and giving it one last try at an NBA ring should be at the top of his list, no matter what price he's put on himself leading into the summer.