Jason Kidd ... bound for Dallas? - File

DALLAS (AP):

NBA STAR Jason Kidd appears headed back to where his career began, rejoining the Dallas Mavericks in a mega trade with his New Jersey Nets.

Various media reports yesterday said Dallas will send emerging point guard Devin Harris, veteran Jerry Stackhouse and reserves DeSagana Diop, Devean George and Maurice Ager to New Jersey, and forward Malik Allen will go from New Jersey to the Mavericks.

The details still were being worked out but Stackhouse said his agent told him the trade would be completed.

"Now I think it's pretty much a done deal," Stackhouse told The Associated Press. Stackhouse added that he may be able to rejoin Dallas within 30 days, an indication the Nets would buy out his contract.

"I feel great. I get 30 days to rest, then I'll be right back," he said. "I ain't going nowhere."

By adding Kidd, the Mavericks are clearly in a win-now mode. He is 10 years older than Harris, but also far more ready to lead a team on a title hunt. Dallas have 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.

Officials reluctant

Mavericks officials were reluc-tant to shake up their core but a recent slump and some big additions by Western Conference rivals may have helped change their minds.

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

The top teams in the West have stocked up their rosters in recent weeks. The Los Angeles Lakers plucked Pau Gasol from Memphis and last week Phoenix traded for Shaquille O'Neal. San Antonio added point guard Damon Stoudemire to their rotation.

Dallas (34-17) were tied with the Lakers for the third-best record in the West before yesterday's round of games.

Kidd has been looking to get out of New Jersey for months. The Nets are 23-29 and unlikely to be contenders in the Eastern Conference, like he made them for most of his tenure.

Kidd led New Jersey to the NBA finals in each of his first two seasons there in 2002 and 2003 but the Nets haven't got past the second round of the playoffs since.

He broke into the league in 1994 when Dallas made him the third overall pick. He was voted co-rookie of the year but traded to the Phoenix Suns in December 1996.

Kidd's return to Dallas should be a boon to reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki, providing him with the easy baskets he used to get when teamed with Steve Nash. His presence also will open things up for Josh Howard, plus let Jason Terry spend more time at shooting guard.

Losing Diop hurts Dallas' front line as he is the primary backup to starting centre Erick Dampier. However, Diop - who is a free agent after this season - had fallen out of favour with coach Avery Johnson lately.