Report: Jason Kidd Pulls Crossover on Dallas Mavericks, Agrees to Join New York Knicks

by abournenesn

Jul 5, 2012

Report: Jason Kidd Pulls Crossover on Dallas Mavericks, Agrees to Join New York KnicksOn Wednesday night, Jason Kidd was reportedly close to finalizing a deal to remain in Dallas for a few more seasons. But by Thursday afternoon, things had changed.

Kidd has agreed to join the New York Knicks, according to a report by ESPN's Marc Stein. The specifics of the deal have yet to be released, but it's likely that the money will be worth more than the reported three-years, $9 million the Mavericks were prepared to offer as of Thursday morning.

The 39-year-old point guard, who spent his first three seasons in the NBA with the Mavericks, has been with Dallas for the past five seasons. His numbers have dropped off considerably since joining the Mavs during the 2007-08 season, but he did play a big role in helping the franchise capture its first NBA championship in 2011.

Kidd averaged just 6.2 points and 5.5 assists per game last season — both career lows. He started all 48 games he played for the Mavs in 2011-12, but his minutes dropped off considerably to just 28.7 per night– also the lowest of his career.

Even at his advanced age in the NBA, Kidd can still be a valuable asset on most teams and can even provide the same spark of his younger years on occasion.

For the Knicks, Kidd should be a viable option to start at point guard and will likely be used as a tutor for Jeremy Lin, if he stays in New York. Otherwise, Kidd could be seen as a replacement for Lin, who has been offered a four-year, $30 million deal by the Houston Rockets.

Either way, Kidd should play an important role for the Knicks as he'll better supply the Big 3 of Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler. He should also benefit the team in its quest to make it beyond the first round of the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2000.

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