MAVS RE-SIGN KIDD, SET SIGHTS ON MARION

Veteran point guard Jason Kidd will resign with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, the first day that teams are allowed to tender written contracts to their free agents.  Kidd decided to stay put despite a dedicated recruiting effort by the New York Knicks.  The Knicks were unable to match the financial terms offered by the Mavericks due to their current roster situation and desire to keep cap space available in order to go after an impact free agent following the 2009-2010 season.

Reports indicate that Kidd will sign a three year deal worth $25 million.  Kidd initially indicated that he wanted time to consider his options, but in somewhat of a surprise move agreed to the Mavs’ offer in a meeting with team owner Mark Cuban at Cuban’s home.  After the two sides agreed on terms, Cuban had the following statement:

"We are excited to have Jason Kidd back in a Mavs uniform. He was a major contributor for us last year, and we expect more of the same next year."

It’s been a busy off-season for Dallas who in addition to retaining Kidd’s services have also landed restricted free agent center Marcin Gortat.  The team is apparently not through dealing, and reports are that they’re trying to work out a ‘sign and trade’ deal with Toronto for Shawn Marion.  Marion became expendable to the Raptors after the team came to terms with Hedo Turkoglu, and the two sides are now trying to work out the most favorable scenario within the NBA’s salary cap guidelines.  A third team may get involved in the transaction in order to make it ‘work’ financially.

Toronto is now in a position where they’ll have to move players like Marion via a trade or renounce their rights to several restricted free agents in order to fit Turkoglu under the salary cap.  At this point, the most likely scenario would see Jerry Stackhouse end up in Toronto—though not for long, as the Raptors would all but certainly buy him out for the guaranteed $2 million of his $7 million contract.  Both Portland and Oklahoma City have expressed interest in Marion, but neither is anxious to offer him more than the mid level exemption.  A sign and trade deal would almost certainly give him a more lucrative payday—which billionaire owner Cuban would gladly pay.   

Mavs’ owner Cuban has been up front about his desire to aggressively work the free agent market, and clearly he meant what he said.  There’s some concern about expending so much money for players that are all over the age of 30, but the Mavs’ have a profound need to be competitive this season.  Franchise power forward Dirk Nowitzki has the ability to ‘opt out’ after this season, and although he’s indicated that he’d like to stay in Dallas a strong playoff run could help solidify that position.