Every year for God knows how long now there've been rumors: Iverson's leaving Philly, Gasol's packing his bags, Garnett won't be a Timberwolf much longer, Jason Kidd's parting ways with the Nets, Kirilenko's moving away from Utah, Jermaine O'Neal won't be wearing that Pacers jersey anymore. And every year many have discarded these as the same rumors we got last year, and the same ones we'll get next year.
But December of 2006 changed all that. A.I., KG, Pau Gasol, and now Kidd have all left their respective places since then. Iverson's been a Denver Nugget for a little over a year now, Kevin Garnett left for Boston during the offseason, Gasol's been added to the Lakers roster, and now Jason Kidd's relocated to the Dallas Mavericks, the team with which he started his career.
What does Dallas get out of this? Malik Allen, who's bounced from team to team during his career, but is a fairly solid player to have on your bench. More importantly, Dallas gets a happy Jason Kidd, who can still make or break a game, to add to the dangers of Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard. An All-Star point guard, a veteran who knows all the little nuances of the game. Sure, he's lost a step. Sure, his best years are behind him. But he's not over the hill yet. He'll still break your defense down any time he feels like it, especially to set up such players as the above-mentioned Nowitzki or Howard.
What does New Jersey get out of this? Devin Harris, a shining point guard who's best days are still ahead of him, Jerry Stackhouse (although Stackhouse claims he's not really going anywhere), and a host of good bench players such as DeSagana Diop, Devean George, and Maurice Ager. New Jersey can use this to rebuild their program and begin a new era of Nets basketball.
Another week, another blockbuster trade in the Western Conference. Are these guys ready for playoff season or what? And is next week Andrei Kirilenko's time to fit out a new uniform? How much longer before Jermaine O'Neal dons a new look? We've heard those rumors for years, but with everything going on, there seems to be more credibility to them now.
Deanna Clover
Chelsey Buhler
Best Players 6-5 and Under
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Ok. It looked like it was going to go through.
Devean George used his no-trade clause to block the deal. So as of now Jason Kidd is still with the New Jersey Nets.
I apologize for talking about a story that never happened.
Theo Bulzi
Belle Plaine , KS
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