Jason Kidd Spurs Mavericks to Chase Title with NY Knicks

Update by Peter Emerick on July 5, at 4:53 PM

In a somewhat shocking turn of events, ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that Jason Kidd has spurred the Dallas Mavericks in favor of signing a multiyear deal with the New York Knicks.

"

In another unforeseen twist of this wild offseason, sources say Jason Kidd has decided to leave Mavs and join Knicks on a multiyear deal

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 5, 2012"

It's clear that Kidd thinks he has a better chance of winning another ring with the Knicks than he would've had with the Mavericks. It's also clear that the Knicks also think Kidd increases their championship odds too.

I'm not so sold, but I'm also not an NBA GM.

Now that Kidd is off the market and heading to the Knicks, it means that the only two "franchise" point guards left on the market are Jeremy Lin and Raymond Felton.

The team that's most affected by Kidd's move to the Knicks is without a doubt the Mavericks. The Mavericks are now left without any player who can truly run the point on an efficient and productive level. The Mavs need to either go all in for Felton or Lin, or they need to settle with the fact that their rebuilding process begins right now.

The other question Kidd's signing brings about is if the Knicks are planning on matching the reported $25 million offer the Rockets made for Lin.

The Knicks still have quite a few decisions to make on the future of their franchise because I find it hard to believe that Kidd is the point guard that can carry the Knicks to an NBA title within the next year or two.

End of Update

ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that Jason Kidd is close to signing a three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, worth $9 million. That would put Kidd at 42-years-old through the end of that contract.

That offer seems like a desperation move by a Mavericks team that's been unable to land their top targets—Dwight Howard and Deron Williams.

Taking Kidd off the market doesn't mean much for the Mavericks, as they're simply sticking to the talent they've had, but it means a lot for other teams looking to add a talented point guard this offseason.

For teams like the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors, taking Kidd off the market leaves only a few talented, "franchise" point guards left, which means it is about time to panic, especially for the Knicks.

With Kidd no longer available, the Knicks are now in quite an interesting position.

The New York Daily News is reporting that the Knicks are emerging as the favorites to land Raymond Felton. The Knicks want to hold on to their $3 million mid-level exception, which means their main focus is on figuring out a sign-and-trade for Felton.

If the Knicks fail to work out a sign-and-trade for Felton, their focus must shift to doing everything in their power to match the major offer the Houston Rockets made for Jeremy Lin.

The main issue with the Rockets' offer is that it reportedly is back-loaded with money that is structured to hurt the Knicks, forcing them to pay a large amount of luxury tax.

Now that Kidd isn't available, the Knicks' only option is to purse Lin at all costs.

Even if the the Knicks are able to pull off a sign-and-trade for Felton, there's no guarantee that Felton will return to his 2010-11 season form when he was with the Knicks, averaging 17.1 points and nine assists per game.

With another "star" point guard, Goran Dragic off the market, reportedly signing a four-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, the depth in the free agent pool at the point guard position is decreasing rather quickly.

Teams looking for a starting point guard who's capable of leading a team are down to two real options in Lin and Felton, which means the subsequent value of those players will start to increase.

That's bad news for the Knicks, as they are limited in their spending this offseason, and they are now left with a difficult decision.

To either go with a player who's success isn't exactly proven in Lin, or with a player without a true identity, in Felton.

Teams that need a star point guard are now forced to pull the trigger on their offers to Felton and Lin because, well, they are the only two true "top-tier" free agents left at the point guard position.

With Kidd, and even Dragic, off the market, it's go time for teams looking for their franchise point guard, which means things are about to heat up for the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets, who are tied to Lin.