=== Kidd officially re-signs with Nets === East Rutherford, NJ (My Sportsbook) - The New Jersey Nets continued to solidify their claim as the top team in the Eastern Conference by officially re-signing point guard Jason Kidd on Thursday. Terms were not disclosed, but the contract is believed to be worth $99 million over six seasons. Kidd was widely considered the most attractive free agent on the market. The defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs were heavily interested in Kidd, but he ultimately decided to remain with the team that acquired him in a trade with the Phoenix Suns in July, 2001. Kidd and Chris Dudley were shipped to New Jersey from the Suns for Stephon Marbury, Johnny Newman and Soumaila Samake. The California product made it clear he would stay with New Jersey last Wednesday, which was the same day the club signed free-agent center Alonzo Mourning to a four-year deal. The 30-year-old Kidd, who has led the Nets to consecutive NBA Finals appearances, was originally selected by Dallas in the first round (second overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft. He was traded by the Mavericks along with Tony Dumas and Loren Meyer to the Phoenix Suns for Sam Cassell, Michael Finley, A.C. Green and a second-round draft choice in December 1996. Prior to obtaining Kidd, the Nets franchise won just one playoff history in their NBA history. Last season, Kidd averaged a career-best 18.7 points in 80 games for New Jersey. He also pulled down 6.3 rebounds and dished out 8.9 assists per outing. A nine-year veteran, Kidd has played in 653 regular-season games, averaging 14.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 9.4 assists. |
