The Blazers: Steve Nash or Jason Kidd?
There are several reports floating around the web that the Blazers might be interested in either Steve Nash or Jason Kidd.
Nash is not a free agent and would require some sort of deal, with reportedly a package including Travis Outlaw and Jerryd Bayless headed to Phoenix. I think such a deal is absurd and something Portland would never consider.
First, it’s too much to give for Nash, whose career as a small point guard who depends on his quickness may be coming to a rapid close. Second, Nash does not really fit the profile of the way Portland plays. He’s a guy who always wants to push the pace and will make a few turnovers. We’ve already seen Steve Nash Lite here and that was Sergio Rodriguez. He’s been in the Nate McMillan doghouse for three seasons here and will surely be gone next season. And I’m not so sure the Blazers want to trade Bayless.
Pursuing Jason Kidd makes much more sense to me. Yes, I know he’s old. I know he can’t defend the quicker point guards the way he used to guard them. I know he’s not much of a shooter. But I’m convinced that he’s one of the league’s true leaders and would be a great mentor for not only Bayless but the rest of a young team. From what I’ve heard, he performed that role perfectly for the Olympic team — where McMillan had a front-row seat.
And I think it’s not a reach to think Kidd, a free agent, could be available to Portland. Yes, I know — he’d be expensive. But he’s also the home run that Kevin Pritchard loves to hit. Andre Miller? A nice solid double, but Kidd has starpower, great knowledge of the game and still burns to win a championship to go with his two Olympic gold medals. He may not defend as well as he used to, but he knows how to defend. He understands team defense and can feed the post. He’s probably what this team has lacked.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Kidd’s because it always bothered me that he can’t shoot. I just don’t much like players who can’t make shots. But in this case, I think he could be a great fit in Portland. But can the Blazers afford him? That depends on how much he wants.
Kidd will turn 36 next November and is known to be seeking more than a one-year contract. Two years would be fair but anything beyond that would seem out of touch with reality. He just finished a six-year, $103.6 million contract that was originally signed with the Nets — a deal that made him the second-highest paid player in the league last season at something over $17 million.
If he’s looking for anything in that neighborhood, he’s out of luck, of course. But — and it’s hard because we still don’t know what the salary cap will be next season — it’s possible the Trail Blazers could comfortably find cap room of about $9 million, which could be enough.
The Mavericks can pay him more than that and possibly would, because they see their championship window closing. Dallas GM Donnie Nelson calls Kidd “the straw that stirs the drink” and seems determined to keep him. But Kidd may yearn for a younger group with a better chance at a title. It’s probably his last chance to make a major move of his own choice.
But I’m not sure Kidd is the kind of guy who wants to pull a Gary Payton and just sign on to be a spare part with a team that’s already a part of the championship picture.
Here’s what Kidd said in a postseason interview session:
“I’m not looking at it as trying to win a championship, hitching on a bandwagon and jumping on with a team that’s a favorite,” Kidd said. “I’m looking to help a team try to win a championship. Whether it’s here in Dallas or wherever it may be, I still feel that I have a lot to give to the game.”
Kidd, who has no intention to sign a one-year deal, sees himself as a guy who can play at a high level for a few more seasons while teaching his evenutal replacement the NBA ropes. He’d be a heck of a mentor to a rookie like Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor or Jonny Flynn that the Mavs might draft this summer.
Or Jerryd Bayless. Doesn’t the Portland situation sound just a little like what he’s looking for?
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | May 19, 2009
Dallas Mavericks, Dwight Jaynes, Jason Kidd, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Pritchard, Portland Trail Blazers
holy cow kidd brings a lot to the table thats for sure dwight, but…. he sure is getting old and don’t we need someone that will be with the team potentially for another 5-7 years? kidd would be absolutely wonderful for another 2 years but what do we do after that. bayless MIGHT be ready after that and what if he is packaged with someone for another player like a 3 or a 4? i do agree that jason kidd would be a very nice acquisition but like scotty pippen he is aging and on his last few seasons. what a kunundrum….
Kidd I can see as a possibility, Nash really is absurd for this team. If PDX signs Kidd, what does that mean for Blake, trade or back-up? I don’t want to lose that 3pt shooter for a Kidd who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. If we can keep Blake as a backup untill Bayless is ready (if that happens) than bring Kidd on. Brandon could still be a leader and yet glean some knowledge from a great leader in Kidd.
I’d trade Blake and Outlaw for Kidd in a hearbeat. Kidd and Bayless to run the point would free up Roy from his ball handling duties. Kidd would bring mucho toughness and experience – just what the Blazers need. Blakes spot up 3-pointers can be replaced with Martell Webster.
Regarding Kidd’s shooting… it’s improved. He’s actually become a really solid spot up shooter the past couple a years. He’s shot around 33% from three for most of his carrer, but last season he shoot a solid 38.1%, and this season he shot a very nice 40.6%… a career high and the first time he’s ever broken the 40% mark from three.
This is the best situation Portland could land. Kidd would be an amazing leader, which is what your point guard needs to be. I don’t really care if we keep Steve Blake, don’t get me wrong he’s a solid player, but with the need to groom more of the younger players and make them the focal point of the offensive scheme (like Oden and Batum, not to mention Martell Webster) Blake is also a hinderance. Kidd won’t take up shots that could otherwise go to other players. And he definitely won’t miss those golden opportunities when Oden gets prime real-estate in the paint. (I can’t begin to explain how many times seeing that go unrewarded or missed drove to me some form of deliria.)
Plus if Blake was not here we could really develop Bayless and not have to speculate whether or not he’s the longterm answer.
Thanks Dwight, you hit a ground-rule double with your eyes closed just by mentioning one name….
Ty Lawson will be a very good point guard in this league and that is all we need right now; just a point man who is good defensively, with court sense, quickness and a steady shot…. Oh, and he may be a rookie, but he’s going to be a rookie coached by Roy Williams and with a National Championship in his pocket….
Kidd is one that is interesting, but Steve Nash and Andre Miller both make me cringe, and I distinctly remember Miller ‘the leader’ being a no show for his teams final meeting during the playoffs this year…. just what Nate needs…
Hate the idea of either Kidd or Nash. Both are old, Kidd can’t defend quick point guards anymore, looked horrible against Billups, and Nash could never defend period. The Suns won’t just release Nash, so it’s either a trade involving multiple pieces or waiting for 2010. And Kidd still wants to get paid one more big deal, and has all the off-court issues the Blazers are trying to avoid, such as beating and cheating on his wife. Hate it. I would rather stay with Blake as the starter than one of those. Get me Hinrich as a very available upgrade who would be perfectly capable to lead this team in the next three years in the playoffs, or a young point guard who can grow with our core group.
Steve Nash would be a nice 1-2 year stopgap while we await the probable maturation of Bayless as a PG.
Steve Nash for 2 years would be ideal — not Kidd. Kidd is downright slow these days. Billups destroyed Kidd in the last series and that gap is only going to widen. Steve Nash is automatic from three and can still create scoring opportunities for other players. Nash can’t defend, but neither can Kidd at this point in his career. I’d rather have the offense at least.
I like the fact that Kidd can play in a running game or the pace that Portland plays (insert rim shot). I think Roy or Oden would make great trailers on the break and Kidd would average 12 dimes a game in Portland. But will Cuban let Paul Allen out bid him?
You guys are missing the point. There are two people on every team that handle most of the shot selection duties: the floor leader and the head coach. Brandon Roy, as the Blazers’ floor leader, wasn’t great in that role against the really good defensive teams, and Nate McMillan could never get the team to pass up all the outside shots. Kidd would help in this area. Big time. He’s smart, he knows the game well enough to coach and he still has the tools to lead a team like Portland that’s loaded with athletes. It would be a smart, almost risk-free move. The only gamble is the salary aspect, but hey, we’ve got Paul Allen on our side.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…Oden sits mentor-less in an a midwest classroom.
According to Wins Produced, Jason Kidd was the second best point guard in the NBA this season (way behind Chris Paul though), and if he continues to produce at that level, he can be a major upgrade for the Blazers and would propel them to be among the top teams in the league.
I suggested that the Blazers hunt down J-Kidd at the beginning of the season. I’m a long-time Nets fan who has moved to Portland, and I can tell you that he is capable of transforming a team just by standing in the gym. What player doesn’t want to play with a premier playmaker who is bound for the Hall of Fame?
And Dwight, Kidd can shoot when he needs to, but most of the time he just gets open shots for other guys who are better at it. Ask Dirk, Vince, RJ, Kerry Kittles, or any of the others who have benefited from his incredible skills.
If the Blazers land Kidd, and the Blazers stay healthy enough, they’ll have a title next year.
Kidd for sure — although I do suspect we’d get eaten alive by Williams or Paul if the tempo of the game got out of hand. So, in that respect, there may not be a big difference between Nash and Kidd, at least defensively.
But in true crunch time, Game Six or Seven situations, Kidd would be great to have around to spell Roy from PG duties. How much would Portland pay for 15-25 minutes a game from him?
Bayless would benefit too on the mentoring tip, but Blake has a lot to learn as well.
How about moving our thinking over to Conley Jr?
Never have been a big fan of either player. Good “leaders” but no rings. Neither guy can guard a decent point, but at least Kidd tries. If Kidd can be had cheap then fine. I would rather see a move to pick up someone like Ty Lawson and get rid of Sergio and Bayless, and have Kidd mentor him. I don’t think either of them are that good. When you have a team that exist for Brandon in a 1-4 set at the end of the game, what good is a dribble point guard? Recognize that if all three guys are healthy in training camp one of the small forwards will be moving. Keep the center position intact and let Greg continue to mature and add a big nasty at the 4 as Brandon suggested. Who knows it could be Ruffin?
Puhleezz. Jason Kidd ? I wouldn’t give a bag of stale donuts and a cup of cold coffee to make that deal happen. He has enough stale play and cold shooting already. Unless he’d play for vet minimum not even a consideration of that deal. Nash is not a fit for Roy and Nate I will grant you that. Nash is however still twice the player Kidd ever was. He can do anything and everything Kidd can do and better. Including the leadership role. Plus he can shoot the rock w/the best of them. He can’t play D; but at this stage neither can Kidd. Especially not on the Paul’s. Williams and Parkers of the west. I’d get rid of Nate then take Nash before I’d bring Kidd to PDX. May as well do the Oden, Blake, Batum for Parker deal as throw money down the J Kidd pitt.
I’m on the Mike Conley bandwagon. Kidd can’t guard a floor mat. Why do we need more terrible defenders? Not sold on Bayless eventually being a PG, his upside is Ben Gordon. You don’t suddenly learn how to pass, it’s there or not. Memphis just got the 2nd pick. Enter Ricky Rubio. Exit Mike Conley Jr. to us. Why?
1. Get a player before he breaks out a la Devin Harris. Post All-Star break numbers:
14.5 pts, 5.6 assists, 1.7 steals, 84% FT, 46.5% FG, with nearly 2 three’s a game. Yes please.
2. Drives to the hoop. Quick enough to guard Aaron Brooks, Chris Paul, etc.
3. Will kick Greg Oden in the butt. Greg won’t let his high school buddy down. Plus, more good PR karma reuniting them.
Book it!
Mike Conley Jr just got a whole lot more interesting…wonder what it would take to get him and rudy gay in a blazer uniform?
To answer Panama’s question…It would take Outlaw, Fernandez, Bayless, Batum, maybe Frye, and a ton of future 1st’s. Rudy Gay isn’t somebody the Grizzlies are going to let go very easily. I’m not opposed to the idea of Conley, he’d be interesting, but I’m just not sure if he would keep putting those numbers up under Nate. I’m also not opposed to the idea of bringing Kidd in, but only if we can’t get some stellar talent at that position via trade. Nash would be horrible. I just don’t see Kidd leaving Dallas.
E-sizzle I think it would take outlaw, sergio, and a darft pick to land conley (assuming they take Rubio)
Conley is young but now has his confidence and some experience behind him. He also understands Oden and could only help the big fella and his game. It makes sense to go after him, especially if memphis takes Rubio. Dangling Sergio their way would be enticing to both the Grizzlies and Rubio as Sergio could help him adjust much like Sergio did for Rudy…
Rumors have it that Gay and OJ mayo don’t mix well and am wondering if KP would be interested in looking into what they would want in return?
Hey Panama,
I’m not saying going for Conley at this point is a bad idea, but if you do that you have to figure out what you’re doing with Bayless. Memphis wouldn’t trade Rudy Gay last year for Amare Stoudemire, they aren’t going to trade him to us for bench fodder–as much as we all love some of our guys, that’s what they are. Acquiring Rudy Gay would also mean having to deal Batum in addition to Outlaw (Webster has zero trade value). I’d rather see us go after Ray Felton first, and if that doesn’t work, then you look into Conley or somebody else.
Good God!
Comparing Sergio Rodriquez to TWO time League M.V.P Steve Nash is nothing short of myopia in its
purest form. +90% at the line. 40% from 3 pt range and 50% from the field… Not to mention that he is STILL one of the deadliest passers in the league who can deliver the ball with pin point accuracy just as easily to a Rudy in the corner for a 3 ball as he could to a cutting Oden for an emphatic dunk! If indeed the goal is for the Blazers to win an NBA CHAMPIONSHIP… Steve Nash is the Player you want to run the Point.