Jason Kidd's agent Jeff Schwartz was reported the other day to have told New Jersey Nets management that his client wanted to be traded. Now, of course, Jason Kidd is denying that he has demanded to be moved.
"Yeah, I want to be here," Kidd said, according to the New York Daily News. When asked why his agent would up and say he wanted a trade when he actually didn't, Kidd replied, "I have no idea. I haven't talked to Jeff. Jeff's been traveling. Not to my knowledge has Jeff asked for any trades or anything like that."
So I guess Schwartz never told Rod Thorn that Kidd wanted out. That was just an ugly rumor. Kidd is perfectly thrilled to be playing for a team that has lost nine in a row and would be in the cellar of their division except that Philadelphia and New York are also in it.
Kidd's making nice now, because guys know that it's a bad play to look like you're stabbing your team in the back. Makes you seem like a poor teammate and a sour-puss and that's not the sort of stuff you want around your neck when you finally get your way and move to another team.
Kidd wants to be traded though. Why wouldn't he? The Nets are going nowhere, and Kidd ain't getting any younger. He would love to wind up with Dallas, the team that originally drafted him. Or maybe the Lakers where he and Kobe could have a chance at a title, what with the Western Conference suffering a slight down-year. Or perhaps he could go to the Nuggets and team up with Carmello and Iverson to create a truly filthy 3-man combo.
The one place I know Kidd doesn't want to play is New Jersey. Their window slammed shut a couple years ago, and doesn't look ready to creak open again anytime soon. Lucky for Kidd, ownership has reportedly given Rod Thorn permission to pursue a trade. In light of this, it makes perfect sense that Kidd would quash rumors of a trade demand by him. They're already trying to trade him, so why incur a bunch of negative publicity by playing the whiny superstar? It makes no sense for him to do that.
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New Jersey Nets
Tags: jason kidd, new jersey nets, rod thorn
