Jason Kidd to Mavericks? Maybe Not?

It looked like the Mavericks had a deal in place until stupid player rights-ist Devean George started talking about exercising his "rights." The former Augsburg* and MIAC standout** is apparently in a magical time in his contract. According to the AP, George was in this position because of "a provision earned by being in his second year and on his second contract with the Mavericks...Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, a player who has "early Bird rights" at the end of a contract — like George has this year — has veto power over a trade because he'd lose those rights if dealt."

It is a shame, because this would have been one barnburner of a trade (which could still go through in some other form, of course). The Nets were giving up Kidd and Malik Allen. The Mavericks were clearly willing to cut loose a lot of young players (and one old one that they would probably get right back): Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, the expiring contracts of center DeSagana Diop and swingman Devean George and guard Maurice Ager. That's not all: the Nets would also receive the league-maximum $3 million, the Mavs' first-round draft pick this June and a first-rounder in 2010. That's a spicy meatball. (ESPN has it that the Nets would buy out Stackhouse, and he'd go and sign with the Mavs again).

Nothing against Jason Kidd, but I don't know if any player is worth giving up a young point guard in the making in Devin Harris, tons of cap room and 2 draft picks. To be paying off this deal in 2 years seems excessive to me. The Nets may be sad to see to Kidd going, but this is not just a massive kickstart to their future, but it will continue to help in the years to come. I'm not one to question Mark Cuban (mainly because I couldn't handle the kind of flame war he could bring down on us) but speaking of as a Washington Savages fan, be wary of the owner who is mortgaging the future to bring in a veteran presence to win right now, win right this fucking minute. It so rarely pays off.

*Other famous Augsburg graduates include: College Hoops Legend Lute Olson, MMA fighter Roger Huerta, and 2003 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry Peter Agre
**Another MIAC standout is Macalester Soccer legend Matthew Highfield. Give us a wave, Matty!