DALLAS — Jason Kidd is headed to the Dallas Mavericks after all, although in a trade that’s slightly different than originally arranged.
The new deal — as reported by various media outlets Sunday night, all citing anonymous sources — has Kidd and forward Malik Allen going to Dallas for point guard Devin Harris, center DeSagana Diop and swingman Maurice Ager, plus a few new pieces: unofficially retired forward Keith Van Horn and Trenton Hassell.
New Jersey also will get two first-round draft picks and $3 million.
Van Horn and Hassell replace Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George in the trade talks.
Stackhouse’s presence in the deal was muddled by plans to get him back to Dallas — within the rules, although in a way the league frowned upon — and George used his veto power to block his involvement.
The reconfigured proposal is expected to be offered for league approval today. If all goes as planned, Kidd could make his return to the team that drafted him when the Mavericks play in New Orleans on Wednesday night.
Word of the deal broke Sunday night while Kidd was playing for the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game. A spokesman for the New Jersey Nets declined comment at the game in New Orleans.
If all goes as planned, Kidd will be back in the Western Conference by the time the all-star break ends.
Kidd spent the first two-plus seasons of his career in Dallas. The Mavs drafted him second overall in 1994 and he was the NBA’s co-rookie of the year in 1994-95. He was traded to Phoenix in December 1996, then went from the Suns to New Jersey before the 2001-02 season. He helped the Nets reach the NBA Finals his first two seasons, but they haven’t made a long playoff run since.
The Mavericks have been among the NBA’s top teams the past few years, but have fallen short of a title. They’re trading Harris’ promising future in hopes Kidd, who turns 35 next month, has enough tenacity and leadership to push them over the top.
