The Four-Decade Maverick: Jason Kidd Plans to Play Past 40

Not many NBA players engage their favorite sport past 40 years of age in a competitive manner.  Not in the NBA, anyway.

There have been several players that have accomplished such feat, but rarely has a point guard done it.  As a point guard, athletes are expected to be at times the fastest player on the court and the first player to run up and down the hardwood leading the offensive attack. 

Enter Jason Kidd.

Kidd is a 10-time NBA All-Star, most recently in 2010.  He has also been named to the All NBA First team five times and All NBA Defensive team four times.  He is referred to as one of the best point guards to ever play the game.  He is also 38 years old.

In an interview with FanHouse, Kidd said, “I would love to follow in John Stockton's footsteps.  If I can do that until I'm 40, 41, that would be a great accomplishment...As long as Cuban has a job for me, I would love to play past 40. Mentally and physically, if I can keep going, if I can be where I am today, I think I can do it.”

John Stockton retired at the age of 41 after averaging 13.1 points and 10.5 assists.  In his last season he averaged 10.8 points and 7.7 assists.  At the age of 38, he averaged 12.1 points and 8.6 assists. 

Jason Kidd holds career averages of 13.6 points and 9.2 assists.  Last year he averaged 10.3 points and 9.1 assists.

If numbers do not lie, this quick statistical analysis shows that a player like Kidd should be able to maintain his level of play at a point where he can still be productive on the court, like Stockton did.  Playing past the age of 40 for Kidd is not only realistic, but it is also what will most likely happen.

But the question is where does he fit with a younger crop of guards in the Mavericks system?  The truth is Kidd will likely not be a starter at the age of 41 like John Stockton was.  He will probably assume a coaching type of role for youngsters like Jose Barea, Roddy Beaubois, and Dominique Jones.  Nearing the end of his career he will come off the bench to control the tempo of the game and serve as a teacher during practice.

At the end of his current deal, the Dallas Mavericks will likely re-sign Kidd and keep him with the franchise a few more seasons on player option years.  That would be great news for both parties involved.