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Good luck in Jersey, Devin.I'll miss you.
Devin Harris: "I have a new future to look forward to"
Devin Harris is set to board a flight at 7:05 this morning. Destination, New Jersey, as the new point guard for the Nets.
“I have a new future to look forward to,” Harris said. “I’m looking forward to having a little bit more control, a little bit more freedom over there. I love my teammates here, so it’s mixed emotions, but I’m excited about the new challenge.”
Harris had yet to hear from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban or any front-office executives, but an airline ticket purchased Monday night and a scheduled noon appointment today with the Nets’ medical staff had finally transformed a surreal week of back-and-forth emotions into black-and-white reality.
The protracted negotiations between the Mavs and Nets that at times seemed like a Keystone Cops caper that might never materialize, has indeed brought Jason Kidd back to the team with which he started his career 14 years ago.
Joining Harris as new members of the Nets will be DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager and the lynchpin, the semi-retired Keith Van Horn, who will pocket $4 million to make traded salaries match.
The Mavs also will deliver to the Nets $3 million and two first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010. Forward Malik Allen and swingman Antoine Wright, a former Texas A&M star who has been slow to develop as a pro, are headed to the Mavs.
Cuban did not confirm the deal was nearing the finish line for good this time, but he did suggest a teleconference with the league executives and lawyers for review was likely forthcoming.
Nets president Rod Thorn, who seemed to again grow leery of the trade’s direction late Monday afternoon, changed gears once the Van Horn situation had finally been addressed, and a few hours later Thorn said, “It appears to be a go.”
Kidd could arrive in Dallas today to take his physical, increasing the possibility that he’ll be in the starting lineup Wednesday when the Mavs resume play against the Hornets in New Orleans.
The remaining Mavs, including Devean George and Jerry Stackhouse, both in the original trade proposal, return from the All-Star break for a 3 p.m. practice today.
And for the stretch run in an ultra-compe ive Western Conference -- where the Mavs are two games from the top seed and two games from the lottery -- the Mavs now have the veteran point guard they’ve desired ever since refusing to match Phoenix’s bid for Steve Nash four years ago.
Kidd makes $19.7 million this season and $21.4 million next season in the final year of his contract.
The Mavs liked Harris’ potential enough to award him a five-year, $43 million extension before the season, and coaches and teammates named him a co-captain with Dirk Nowitzki.
Coach Avery Johnson tabbed Harris the starting point guard after last season’s playoff debacle to Golden State. Johnson even handed over play-calling duties to the fourth-year guard and former No. 5 pick out of Wisconsin.
But Johnson later rescinded those duties. Harris, a quick, slashing point guard, struggled at times, but he had been playing his most consistent basketball of the season before suffering a bone bruise to his left ankle on Jan. 27, which turned out to be his final game as a Mav.
“I have no problem with Avery,” Harris said. “I tried to do what he asked me to do. I read a lot about him taking away the play-calling from me, but he really called the plays anyway. Still, he’s one of the most influential people I’ve had in basketball.”
The Mavs’ brass believes Kidd’s ability to read the floor, anticipate player movement and deliver precision passes will make the offense more fluid and make it easier for Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry to get scoring opportunities.
“I look at myself as an easy fit no matter where it’s at because you don’t have to run plays for me, you don’t have to call my number,” Kidd said. “It’s just a matter of me getting guys the ball at the right time, play defense, do the little things, rebound and play hard, and that’s my game.”
Harris, who turns 25 on Feb. 27, is averaging 14.4 points and shooting 48.3 percent. His 5.3 assists are on pace for a career high as are his 30.4 minutes a game. Kidd, who turns 35 on March 23, is averaging 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 10.4 assists.
While Kidd’s shooting a career-low 36.6 percent, with the Mavs he’ll be looking to create, which should make for interesting theater. Under Johnson, the Mavs have consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in assists. They finished last season 24th out of 30 teams. They’re 25th this season, averaging 19.9.
The Mavs do much of their scoring off half-court isolation sets. Give it to Nowitzki or Howard and let them do their thing.
“It’s tough because they kind of play differently than I do,” Harris said when asked recently to measure his game against some of the league’s top point guards, such as Nash, Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Kidd. “They’re getting 15, 16 assists some games. I dream about getting 15 assists. It’s just not possible with the team I’m on.”
Kidd and, ultimately, Johnson believe that can change.
“I think Dirk or Josh or anybody else,” Kidd said, “it’s just a matter of being ready to catch the ball and score.”
The first time Kidd puts on a Mavs uniform will be his next shot at recording the 100th triple-double of his career. Only Magic Johnson (138) and Oscar Robertson (181) have more.
He might or might not notch that by March 8, just 10 games away, when Harris, Diop and company return to American Airlines Center for the Nets’ lone appearance this season.
“That’s crazy,” Harris said about returning so quickly. “I’m more about trying to get healthy and help the team. I hope to be back by then.”
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Good luck in Jersey, Devin.
Have fun in Jersey, Devin. Too bad it took you three and a half years to develop into something more than a bench role player.
oh no, we're back to having the "3 Jays".
yep. looks like thispego was right all along in labeling Devin Harris as a scrub.
I just don't see the Mavs being better with Jason Kidd. Devin Harris is younger ,faster, a better defender,shooter, penetrator, and a of a lot cheaper. Jason is a better floor general, but thats it. I hated playing the Mavs because of Devin more than anyone else. The havoc he would create for our defense would always be a ing nuisance, and he was traded away for what? A wifebeating old man whos' teams haven't done anything in 5 or 6 years.It just does not make sense. This move makes me hate Avery Johnson a little more.
Oh, one more Question. When has Jason kidd ever made the players around him any better? I'll bet his ex-Net teammates can answer that.This was just bad buisness.
So you new to this basketball thing?
you obviously know nothing about basketball. Stop while you can.I just don't see the Mavs being better with Jason Kidd. Devin Harris is younger ,faster, a better defender,shooter, penetrator, and a of a lot cheaper. Jason is a better floor general, but thats it. I hated playing the Mavs because of Devin more than anyone else. The havoc he would create for our defense would always be a ing nuisance, and he was traded away for what? A wifebeating old man whos' teams haven't done anything in 5 or 6 years.
Stop downgrading a HOF pg and overrating Devin Harris.
Harris is actually a good fit for New Jersey I think. His game better compliments Carter and Jefferson's than Kidd's did, IMO.
Well since i know nothing please tell me how Kidd is going to change the fortunes of Dallas. I would enjoy learning something new.
Taking Dirk out of the role as the floor leader. Getting a guy with Finals experience. Getting a smart veteran who makes everyone on the court better.
i'm sure you know a load about great point guards after seeing Rafer Alston & Steve Francis all these years.
Id rather not waste my time. Go read the other million threads already on this topic and you'll see a variety of opinions, including mine. Maybe pick up a book on basketball 101, you may learn that there's such a thing called "intangibles"
Thats all i'm asking. How does he make them better?
I gave valid reasons for my opinion. Saying he makes them better just because is not an answer.
They suck but it doesn't answer anything.
Think of Steve Francis, then think of the exact opposite of what Francis does.
youre "valid" reasons: wifebeater, old, doesnt make anyone better.
What are you, a bitter Mavs fan?
Matchup better with the other 28 teams
matchup worse with the Spurs.
good move.
seriously.
I was really hoping the Mavs would get rid of Jason Terry. That guy rapes us everytime.
Who are most point guards going to have a problem guarding Devin Harris or Jason Kidd? Who is going to give your defensive rotations a workout? Who would you rather leave open for a shot? Who is the better defender? Who has the speed to keep up with the Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Chris Paul,etc.,etc.,? Who is still developing into a better player? Whos contract won't cripple your team?One answer: Devin Harris.
see Kenyon Martin
Who is a ing moron? Who doesn't ever have a clue what the he is talking about? Who needs to be pinked?
One answer: The Franchise
you forgot who is not a 35 year old aging PG. all good points and agree with most of it.
Also, Dallas core team has as much or more experience in NBA playoffs/finals than Kidd. I don't know why ppl are saying Kidd has more playoff experience than Devin Harris.
Did you seriously just type that?
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