http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/26098.htm
KIDD-TO-MAVS STILL ON BACK BURNER
By FRED KERBER
August 3, 2004 -- So what would the Nets want back from Dallas for Jason Kidd?
Believe one thing: It won't include a collection of five players whose most redeeming quality is helping to match up salaries, one source said.
The Nets and Mavs have held discussions regarding Kidd, and the most popular scenario had been Antoine Walker and Josh Howard.
But that possibility now appears doomed as Walker, a league sources said, is heading to Atlanta for guard Jason Terry and forward Alan Henderson.
The Nets and Mavs have not talked for nearly a week. But if Kidd should demand a trade, the two teams might renew discussions.
But what the Nets could - or would - take back from Dallas is unclear, especially in light of the Walker news.
Kidd does not have a no-trade clause and cannot block any trade, and the Nets have inquired about interest around the league. If the All-Star is vehement in his desire to leave, the Nets likely would try to accommodate the demand.
"The next move is probably Jason's," the source said. "But if there ever is a trade, it won't be for that one group of players."
That group is Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner, Tariq Abdul-Wahad, Calvin Booth and Tony Delk. The Mavs, sources maintain, wouldn't touch Kidd's contract without dumping some of those undesirable pacts on the Nets. Kidd, with $90 million left on his deal over five years, is due to be paid $14,796,000 this season. Michael Finley apparently is untouchable.
So the Mavs, who lost Steve Nash to free agency, might be one of several teams who'll consider Kidd if he decides that recent moves by the prospective ownership group have made The Swamp a wasteland.
Kidd met with prospective owner Bruce Ratner and Rod Thorn last week and angrily gave his position, which was that he didn't want to be part of a rebuilding plan. But he did not demand a trade.
Kidd, 31, agreed to cool off for a week and adopt a wait-and-see approach on how the Nets could salvage themselves after giving away Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles to cut payroll.
I will burn a cross in Don Nelson Jr's front lawn if this trade happens.