Jason Kidd has already enjoyed a likely Hall of Fame career at the highest level basketball can afford him. He's won an NBA title. He's a 10-time All Star. He's achieved both greatness and longevity, either one of those being something most NBA players would cherish most. But now at the age of 39, the Dallas Mavericks point guard might be on the way of the league. In short, Kidd is reportedly set to retire and walk away if he does not get the contract demands that he desires heading into free agency this summer.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated has the official word from a source on Kidd's future:
Hearing Jason Kidd isn't interested in playing for a vets minimum or small exception. If he doesn't get a mid-level type offer, he'll quit.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) May 3, 2012
That could be a tall order for an aging point guard who cannot shoot well. Even the dynamic aspects of his game have tapered off enough where it will be interesting to see who takes a flier on him. Is there enough left in the tank? That's for general managers to decide.
This last season, Kidd averaged 6.2 points, 5.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds in almost 30 minutes per game as the Mavs starting point guard. In the playoffs, those numbers jumped all over but his value was felt in the team's Game Four loss to the Thunder when he shot 4 of 8 beyond the arc and finished with 16 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds. In short, he's still a playmaker.
It will be interesting to see where he goes this off-season and what team makes room for him. If he walks away, it will be as one of the greatest point guards of a generation and the Hall of Fame will likely welcome him whenever he decides he's ready.
Read more about the Thunder at Welcome To Loud City. For more on the Mavericks, check out Mavs Moneyball.