NBA: Future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd to join Knicks - ESPN

ESPN's Marc Stein reports that future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd has spurned the Dallas Mavericks for the New York Knicks. The 39-year-old looked to be headed back to the Dallas Mavericks after the team was unable to land free agents Deron Williams and Steve Nash, but Stein said Kidd ultimately turned down the Mavs' offer of three years, $9 million, for a similar offer from the Knicks. Kidd last season had career-low numbers in points (6.2) and assists (5.5), but the Knicks are confident that he can still be effective, while also serving as a mentor to their younger players like Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert, and should they bring him back, Jeremy Lin. According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Knicks will still look to keep the Taiwanese-American point guard, matching whatever offer another team would put forward. Barring that, they may bring back veteran Raymond Felton, who was with the club, prior to being traded in 2010 for Carmelo Anthony.

Knicks add Jason Kidd and will either match Jeremy Lin or sign Raymond Felton — Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) July 5, 2012  

Because the deal cannot be signed until July 11 (July 12, PHL time), there is some talk that the move could evolve into a sign-and-trade, with Dallas taking back some undisclosed assets. The Mavericks on the other hand, are now in deep trouble, having whiffed on multiple point guard options, after choosing not to bring back several key contributors that led to their 2011 NBA Championship, in order to free up cap space for this off-season. On their list of options now are Phoenix Suns restricted free agent Aaron Brooks and Los Angeles Clippers unrestricted free agent Randy Foye, both of whom are significant downgrades from the likes of Williams, Nash and Kidd. - AMD, GMA News