12/18/24
June 27, 2003
Kidd Narrows The Field: So Jason Kidd has it down to four teams: the Spurs, the Nets, the Mavs (if they sign Zo) and the Nuggets (!). From the sound of things...say good-bye, NJ. He plans to visit Texas and make a decision by the middle of July.
posted by pucksnsuds to basketball at 09:55 AM - 6 comments
Kevin Garnett and Kobe are both going to be free agents after this season, and if Denver could sign one of them and Kidd then they could be contenders pretty damn quickly The conventional wisdom in Mpls is that if the Wolves do ANYTHING to improve the team, KG will stay. And there are enough reasonable trade scenarios involving Terrell Brandon and his cap-clearing contract situation that it seems pretty likely that the Wolves will do somethign and KG will stay. If he left for Denver, and Denver signed Kidd on top of that, I would spend at least one entire NBA season drinking myself silly.
posted by cobra! at 02:32 PM on June 27, 2003
I don't think I can remember any season in which the Nuggets challenged for a playoff spot. Which is why I was mad that Carmelo got stuck there (Cuse fan). But, if he seems to like it, then maybe Kidd will too, and that will give them something to build on, then maybe next year, sign someone else big (now that there's a bit of a draw), and bang, contenders. I just wonder what Denver has done already to show Kidd that they are serious...
posted by Bernreuther at 04:20 PM on June 27, 2003
Well, Minnesota has picked up Sam Cassell in a trade. For Garnett is that considered a step in the right direction? If Carmelo is as good as his press is it a stretch to see him carrying the Nuggets upward the same way T-Mac and Orlando is a one star show? The West is tougher, yes, but I think the big expectation seems to be that Carmelo will be someone that improves them right away - though of course adding a piece like Kidd or Kobe or Garnett would elevate them further to contenderdom. maybe.
posted by gspm at 05:19 AM on June 28, 2003
I don't know that he can elevate an entire NBA team, but I guess it'd be cool if he did. He will probably take a few years to get to that point though, and when you go to a place like that with no supporting cast that increases the chances that you aren't going to learn as much too. I think he has more of an uphill road there than say Detroit. Having someone like Kidd around would really aid in his development, I think...
posted by Bernreuther at 08:35 AM on June 28, 2003
Well, Minnesota has picked up Sam Cassell in a trade. For Garnett is that considered a step in the right direction? Well, I'm hoping so. The paper claims Garnett was "in the loop" on the trade, so I assume he must approve.
posted by cobra! at 09:44 AM on June 30, 2003
Zo is too big of a risk for Dallas to sign. He'd be a great addition if he's healthy and performs, but the odds of that happening are sadly slim. I still think PJ Brown is their best option. The truth is that Kidd isn't going to help the Mavs get past San Antone (or the Lakers if they meet up next year in the play-offs). Dallas' main problem isn't at the guard position, it's in the middle. Kidd may be a better player than Nash or Van Exel, but to me, signing him and ditching one of those isn't going to resolve their biggest weakness. I've got a co-worker that is a hardcore Spurs fan that really doesn't want Kidd there. Parker is developing very well and ran the offense throughout the play-offs extremely well for a 21 year-old. His opinion (and I see where he's coming from) is that SA should keep Parker and save the money they'd spend on Kidd looking for another young big man to replace Robinson. Kevin Willis may be able to fill in well this year, but he's the oldest player in the NBA and won't be around for too much longer. My vote is to get Kidd in Denver. Make the West even more interesting. Kevin Garnett and Kobe are both going to be free agents after this season, and if Denver could sign one of them and Kidd then they could be contenders pretty damn quickly.