Ford: Mourning helps decide Kidd's future
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Friday, July 11
Updated: July 11
3:56 PM ET
2:00 p.m. Update
Jason Kidd has decided to stay in New Jersey a little longer.
"After great thought and consultation with the important people in my life I have decided that I want to remain a New Jersey Net," Kidd said in a statement e-mailed to Insider.
Kidd will sign a six year, $99 million dollar deal on July 16th, the first day free agents can sign with their team.
"I have enjoyed being here the past two years, I have worked hard with my teammates and believe in our future. I've been fortunate to have had significant interest from other great organizations but ultimately I want to finish what we started here and bring a championship to the Nets. I want to thank the Nets ownership, management, coaches and all the fans for the support everyone has shown me the past two years and I look forward to finishing my career here."
Morning Update
Will he or won't he? Really that's all that matters at this point in the ongoing saga between Jason Kidd, the Nets and the Spurs.
The latest word, verified to Insider by a league source that talked with Alonzo Mourning's agent last night, is that free agent Alonzo Mourning will bolt the Heat for the Nets -- apparently paving the way for Kidd to re-sign in New Jersey.
Mourning may announce as early as today he'll sign a 4-year, $20 million dollar deal with New Jersey.
Mourning's agent told the Insider source that Mourning agreed to sign with the Nets after receiving assurances that Kidd also will re-sign. Kidd's agent Jeff Schwartz didn't return a phone call Friday morning seeking comment on the most recent reports.
If there's any truth to the story, it's a major reversal of fortunes for the Nets, who experienced the low of lows Thursday, when word leaked that Kidd reportedly wanted coach Byron Scott fired.
By now you've read ad naseum about the N.Y. Post report that Kidd demanded that Thorn fire head coach Byron Scott. You've also been flooded by the denials from Thorn, Kidd, his agent Jeff Schwartz and even Kidd's wife, Joumana.
From the various reports that have surfaced in the past week, it's pretty clear Kidd wasn't entirely happy with the status quo in New Jersey.
If the Nets indeed have locked up Mourning, that could go a long way toward convincing Kidd to stay. He reportedly has suggested the Nets woo Mourning, get Kenyon Martin's contract extension worked out, re-sign free agent Lucious Harris and ... deal with the coaching situation.
What is the coaching situation? Kidd's agent, Jeff Schwartz told Insider that Kidd didn't have a problem with Scott and in fact, liked him personally. Schwartz also said, on behalf of Kidd, that Jason never said his son, T.J., could have done a better job than Scott coaching Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Kidd said as much to the New York Daily News on Thursday. "What was reported is ridiculous," Kidd said. "I never demanded Byron be let go. It's not my decision who coaches the team. That is up to management. I am very upset that I am being blamed as the person who is not satisfied with Byron. If management doesn't want Byron in there, then they should speak up. I like Byron, and I can only imagine what he is feeling today."
Fine. Scott isn't the real problem anyway.
The bigger issue in New Jersey is that the guy who really ran the Nets, assistant Eddie Jordan, is now coaching the Wizards. The Nets have yet to replace him. Jordan and Kidd were close. They understood each other. Whatever Kidd's relationship with Scott was (and I believe the animosity is overstated) mattered little, as long as Jordan was there. In fact, it was often Kidd's teammates and others inside the Nets organization lobbing the most stinging critiques Scott's way.
That's why Kidd said, "I am very upset that I am being blamed as the person who is not satisfied with Byron." Kidd is not alone on this issue, and everyone on the Nets knows it.
With Jordan gone, there's a void. Scott has described himself as the team's CEO, delegating most of the coaching responsibilities to his assistants. If you take Scott at his word, who is he delegating to now? You think Kidd wouldn't mind having a say in that decision?
Or in who his teammates will be next year? Or in making sure the organization is committed to doing everything it can to win a championship should he tie himself to the mast for the next six years?
Say what you will about the money -- some claim that as long as the Nets are paying Kidd he should shut up and play basketball -- but this is the biggest decision of his career, and no one knows that more than Kidd.
"In my over four decades in the NBA, I have never encountered a player more cognizant than Jason of the delineation of roles between management, players and coaches," Thorn said in a statement. "Jason fully understands that management, and not players, decide who will be employed by the team. I want to reiterate that this was an erroneous story without merit. Jason Kidd has never asked nor demanded that Coach Scott be fired, and to be portrayed otherwise is an injustice to Jason as well as Coach Scott."
I believe Thorn, Kidd and his agent. I believe Kidd never pounded his fist on any table and told the Nets it was either him or Scott. Why? Because if Kidd had done that, Scott would be packing right now.
This isn't about demands. It's about Kidd getting comfortable with the place he'll play for the rest of his career.
The Spurs offer him the chance to play with the league MVP, to play for the NBA coach of the year, and to leave behind an organization that never could quite get its act together on Kidd.
The Nets offer him a chance to play with a nice young corp of talent, to remain loyal to teammates and friends in the organization, to excel in a conference that is wide open and play a style of basketball he is comfortable with.
If Kidd stays in New Jersey ... start thanking Alonzo Mourning.
Around the league
Speaking of the Nets-Spurs fiasco, Spurs point guard Tony Parker finally got around to expressing his concern over his team's courtship of Kidd. Was he too late?
"I know I'm the best point guard for this team," Parker told the San Antonio Express News. "I can lead this team. I know deep down in my heart I can. I'm only 21, but I'm going to get better."
"I have nothing against Jason," Parker said. "I like Jason. But my agent said almost all the other teams in the league are calling him, asking, 'What's wrong with Tony? Why don't they think he can lead the team?' They think something is wrong with me, because the Spurs want Jason.
"The Spurs want the best of both worlds. The problem is, I have to think about my career, too. I don't want to play shooting guard. I've played point guard since I was small. I love having the ball in my hands. I love being the leader."
Coach Gregg Popovich blew off Parker's concerns.
"I can only talk to him about it so much," Pop told the Express News. "He says one thing, then his opinion changes after he talks to other people. When that happens, I have to let it go and stay away and let him figure it out himself and assess the situation. I think in the long run, he will figure out why we're doing this. It's not because we think any less of Tony.
"I love Tony to death. I have faith in him. I don't blame him for this. I blame the people around him, some of whom think they have his best interest in mind, and some of whom care only about their own interest."
Now that Kidd seems to ready to re-sign with the Nets, can the Spurs repair the relationship? They're going to have to. With the Lakers stockpiling Hall of Famers, they're going to have to do some quick thinking in San Antonio with Kidd and Mourning off the market.
Expect the Spurs to immediately get on the phone to center Rasho Nesterovic. The T-Wolves have made Nesterovic an offer starting in the $7 million dollar range. If the Spurs can match that, Nesterovic would leave Minnesota to join the Spurs a source close to Nesterovic told Insider.
If Nesterovic signs for a deal in the $7 million range, the Spurs would still have around $9 million to use on another free agent. The team has definite interest in Elton Brand, though a starting salary of $9 million a year wouldn't be enough to land him. The team could also make a run at athletic swing man Corey Maggette. A line-up of Parker, Ginobili, Maggette, Duncan and Nesterovic would be a definite upgrade over what the team did last season.
The Spurs have also taken a long look at P. J. Brown and have some mild interest in Clippers restricted free agent Lamar Odom.
Is an Andre Miller bidding war coming? Miller finishes up his two day visit with the Jazz today. At the end of the day, Miller likely will be holding two offers -- one from the Jazz and one from the Nuggets.
Which will he pick? Miller is familiar with Utah, likes coach Jerry Sloan and would have plenty of room to grow with the Jazz. The Nuggets offer a city that reminds Miller of a "bigger Salt Lake" and has several top notch young players like Carmelo Anthony and Nene Hilario.
The question may ultimately come down to which team is willing to pony up the most cash. Denver is hoping to get Miller at a starting salary of around $6-$7 million. The Nuggets balked at paying Gilbert Arenas his reported asking price of $9 million a year. So it's not too difficult to get a handle on how high Denver will go.
Utah is more desperate. They now are looking at close to $20 million in cap room. They need a couple of top-flight free agents to sign on, or the team risks falling into oblivion. Miller is clearly at the top of their point guard list. Will he remain in that spot at any price? Don't be surprised if the Jazz are willing to give Miller money, starting at $8 million or more a year.
Last year, before Miller's terrible ordeal with the Clippers, the Jazz were convinced he was a max type player. Will one bad year really dissuade them of that?
GM Kevin O'Connor knows that at some level he'll have to ultimately overpay to convince top free agents to play in Utah. Adding Miller, even at that expensive price, may be Utah's only shot at hanging with the rest of the wild, wild west.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Juwan Howard has narrowed down his free agent list to the Timberwolves and the Pistons. According to the report, Howard is only looking for a one year deal.
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Friday, July 11
Updated: July 11
3:56 PM ET
2:00 p.m. Update
Jason Kidd has decided to stay in New Jersey a little longer.
"After great thought and consultation with the important people in my life I have decided that I want to remain a New Jersey Net," Kidd said in a statement e-mailed to Insider.
Kidd will sign a six year, $99 million dollar deal on July 16th, the first day free agents can sign with their team.
"I have enjoyed being here the past two years, I have worked hard with my teammates and believe in our future. I've been fortunate to have had significant interest from other great organizations but ultimately I want to finish what we started here and bring a championship to the Nets. I want to thank the Nets ownership, management, coaches and all the fans for the support everyone has shown me the past two years and I look forward to finishing my career here."
Morning Update
Will he or won't he? Really that's all that matters at this point in the ongoing saga between Jason Kidd, the Nets and the Spurs.
The latest word, verified to Insider by a league source that talked with Alonzo Mourning's agent last night, is that free agent Alonzo Mourning will bolt the Heat for the Nets -- apparently paving the way for Kidd to re-sign in New Jersey.
Mourning may announce as early as today he'll sign a 4-year, $20 million dollar deal with New Jersey.
Mourning's agent told the Insider source that Mourning agreed to sign with the Nets after receiving assurances that Kidd also will re-sign. Kidd's agent Jeff Schwartz didn't return a phone call Friday morning seeking comment on the most recent reports.
If there's any truth to the story, it's a major reversal of fortunes for the Nets, who experienced the low of lows Thursday, when word leaked that Kidd reportedly wanted coach Byron Scott fired.
By now you've read ad naseum about the N.Y. Post report that Kidd demanded that Thorn fire head coach Byron Scott. You've also been flooded by the denials from Thorn, Kidd, his agent Jeff Schwartz and even Kidd's wife, Joumana.
From the various reports that have surfaced in the past week, it's pretty clear Kidd wasn't entirely happy with the status quo in New Jersey.
If the Nets indeed have locked up Mourning, that could go a long way toward convincing Kidd to stay. He reportedly has suggested the Nets woo Mourning, get Kenyon Martin's contract extension worked out, re-sign free agent Lucious Harris and ... deal with the coaching situation.
What is the coaching situation? Kidd's agent, Jeff Schwartz told Insider that Kidd didn't have a problem with Scott and in fact, liked him personally. Schwartz also said, on behalf of Kidd, that Jason never said his son, T.J., could have done a better job than Scott coaching Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Kidd said as much to the New York Daily News on Thursday. "What was reported is ridiculous," Kidd said. "I never demanded Byron be let go. It's not my decision who coaches the team. That is up to management. I am very upset that I am being blamed as the person who is not satisfied with Byron. If management doesn't want Byron in there, then they should speak up. I like Byron, and I can only imagine what he is feeling today."
Fine. Scott isn't the real problem anyway.
The bigger issue in New Jersey is that the guy who really ran the Nets, assistant Eddie Jordan, is now coaching the Wizards. The Nets have yet to replace him. Jordan and Kidd were close. They understood each other. Whatever Kidd's relationship with Scott was (and I believe the animosity is overstated) mattered little, as long as Jordan was there. In fact, it was often Kidd's teammates and others inside the Nets organization lobbing the most stinging critiques Scott's way.
That's why Kidd said, "I am very upset that I am being blamed as the person who is not satisfied with Byron." Kidd is not alone on this issue, and everyone on the Nets knows it.
With Jordan gone, there's a void. Scott has described himself as the team's CEO, delegating most of the coaching responsibilities to his assistants. If you take Scott at his word, who is he delegating to now? You think Kidd wouldn't mind having a say in that decision?
Or in who his teammates will be next year? Or in making sure the organization is committed to doing everything it can to win a championship should he tie himself to the mast for the next six years?
Say what you will about the money -- some claim that as long as the Nets are paying Kidd he should shut up and play basketball -- but this is the biggest decision of his career, and no one knows that more than Kidd.
"In my over four decades in the NBA, I have never encountered a player more cognizant than Jason of the delineation of roles between management, players and coaches," Thorn said in a statement. "Jason fully understands that management, and not players, decide who will be employed by the team. I want to reiterate that this was an erroneous story without merit. Jason Kidd has never asked nor demanded that Coach Scott be fired, and to be portrayed otherwise is an injustice to Jason as well as Coach Scott."
I believe Thorn, Kidd and his agent. I believe Kidd never pounded his fist on any table and told the Nets it was either him or Scott. Why? Because if Kidd had done that, Scott would be packing right now.
This isn't about demands. It's about Kidd getting comfortable with the place he'll play for the rest of his career.
The Spurs offer him the chance to play with the league MVP, to play for the NBA coach of the year, and to leave behind an organization that never could quite get its act together on Kidd.
The Nets offer him a chance to play with a nice young corp of talent, to remain loyal to teammates and friends in the organization, to excel in a conference that is wide open and play a style of basketball he is comfortable with.
If Kidd stays in New Jersey ... start thanking Alonzo Mourning.
Around the league
Speaking of the Nets-Spurs fiasco, Spurs point guard Tony Parker finally got around to expressing his concern over his team's courtship of Kidd. Was he too late?
"I know I'm the best point guard for this team," Parker told the San Antonio Express News. "I can lead this team. I know deep down in my heart I can. I'm only 21, but I'm going to get better."
"I have nothing against Jason," Parker said. "I like Jason. But my agent said almost all the other teams in the league are calling him, asking, 'What's wrong with Tony? Why don't they think he can lead the team?' They think something is wrong with me, because the Spurs want Jason.
"The Spurs want the best of both worlds. The problem is, I have to think about my career, too. I don't want to play shooting guard. I've played point guard since I was small. I love having the ball in my hands. I love being the leader."
Coach Gregg Popovich blew off Parker's concerns.
"I can only talk to him about it so much," Pop told the Express News. "He says one thing, then his opinion changes after he talks to other people. When that happens, I have to let it go and stay away and let him figure it out himself and assess the situation. I think in the long run, he will figure out why we're doing this. It's not because we think any less of Tony.
"I love Tony to death. I have faith in him. I don't blame him for this. I blame the people around him, some of whom think they have his best interest in mind, and some of whom care only about their own interest."
Now that Kidd seems to ready to re-sign with the Nets, can the Spurs repair the relationship? They're going to have to. With the Lakers stockpiling Hall of Famers, they're going to have to do some quick thinking in San Antonio with Kidd and Mourning off the market.
Expect the Spurs to immediately get on the phone to center Rasho Nesterovic. The T-Wolves have made Nesterovic an offer starting in the $7 million dollar range. If the Spurs can match that, Nesterovic would leave Minnesota to join the Spurs a source close to Nesterovic told Insider.
If Nesterovic signs for a deal in the $7 million range, the Spurs would still have around $9 million to use on another free agent. The team has definite interest in Elton Brand, though a starting salary of $9 million a year wouldn't be enough to land him. The team could also make a run at athletic swing man Corey Maggette. A line-up of Parker, Ginobili, Maggette, Duncan and Nesterovic would be a definite upgrade over what the team did last season.
The Spurs have also taken a long look at P. J. Brown and have some mild interest in Clippers restricted free agent Lamar Odom.
Is an Andre Miller bidding war coming? Miller finishes up his two day visit with the Jazz today. At the end of the day, Miller likely will be holding two offers -- one from the Jazz and one from the Nuggets.
Which will he pick? Miller is familiar with Utah, likes coach Jerry Sloan and would have plenty of room to grow with the Jazz. The Nuggets offer a city that reminds Miller of a "bigger Salt Lake" and has several top notch young players like Carmelo Anthony and Nene Hilario.
The question may ultimately come down to which team is willing to pony up the most cash. Denver is hoping to get Miller at a starting salary of around $6-$7 million. The Nuggets balked at paying Gilbert Arenas his reported asking price of $9 million a year. So it's not too difficult to get a handle on how high Denver will go.
Utah is more desperate. They now are looking at close to $20 million in cap room. They need a couple of top-flight free agents to sign on, or the team risks falling into oblivion. Miller is clearly at the top of their point guard list. Will he remain in that spot at any price? Don't be surprised if the Jazz are willing to give Miller money, starting at $8 million or more a year.
Last year, before Miller's terrible ordeal with the Clippers, the Jazz were convinced he was a max type player. Will one bad year really dissuade them of that?
GM Kevin O'Connor knows that at some level he'll have to ultimately overpay to convince top free agents to play in Utah. Adding Miller, even at that expensive price, may be Utah's only shot at hanging with the rest of the wild, wild west.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Juwan Howard has narrowed down his free agent list to the Timberwolves and the Pistons. According to the report, Howard is only looking for a one year deal.