Mavs' George blocks Kidd-to-Dallas deal

Kidd, Allen and Wright were inactive for New Jersey. George and Diop played, while Harris, Stackhouse and Ager were inactive; Harris and Stackhouse are hurt and Ager is in the NBDL.

Stackhouse spoke before the game about moving on -- or, rather, not going anywhere. He indicated the Nets would buy out his contract, enabling him to re-sign with Dallas in a month.

"Getting bought out, if that happens, my first choice would be to come back to Dallas. I'm settled in, just bought a house," he said.

Stackhouse added he was only part of the trade "to make the numbers work."

A move for Kidd is an indication the Mavs are in a win-now mode. He is 10 years older than the 24-year-old Harris. Dallas has been close in recent years, losing in the NBA Finals in 2006, then winning 67 games last season before flaming out in the first round.

Mavs officials have been reluctant to shake up their roster, but a recent slump and the moves by conference rivals may have helped change their minds. It's worth noting that while team owner Mark Cuban has a reputation of being a risk-taker, Kidd would be the first top-tier player he has traded for since getting Antoine Walker in October 2003.

"I think Devin has a lot of upside, but Jason Kidd is the type of all-league point guard our teams needs," Stackhouse said. "We just need a jolt. Adding a player like him can re-energize a team, hopefully."

Dallas and New Jersey were in serious talks about Kidd earlier this month. Stackhouse said it was almost nailed down Tuesday night, then called off, only to be revived again Wednesday morning.

The West is as competitive and deep as it's been in years, with several upstarts joining the perennial powers. The Lakers got the trade game going by plucking Pau Gasol from Memphis, then last week Phoenix traded for Shaquille O'Neal. San Antonio also has added point guard Damon Stoudamire to its rotation.

Dallas (34-17) was tied with the Lakers for the third-best record in the West.

"It's been kind of stagnant all season," Stackhouse said. "I think you just try to find the right piece. Maybe this is the right piece that really helps our team, that gets our scorers easy opportunities. Getting Pau or Shaq wouldn't have helped that case. Getting a point guard, that gets you easy opportunities. It solves that issue for us."

Kidd broke into the league in 1994-95 when Dallas made him the third overall pick. He was voted co-Rookie of the Year, but the club was such a mess it was better known as the Mav-wrecks.

He went to New Jersey from Phoenix before the 2001-02 season, then led the Nets to the NBA Finals in each of his first two seasons. But they haven't gotten past the second round of the playoffs since. With the club well under .500, he's been looking to get traded for months.

Although Kidd turns 35 on March 23, he's still among the league's best point guards. He's averaging 11.3 points, 10.4 assists and 8.1 rebounds.