ESPN: Kidd may be trying to force a trade

[GangstaBoogy]

December 6, 2007 -- Jason Kidd was "on strike," last night several team sources claimed, and he essentially called in sick, perhaps in an effort to force a trade from the Nets or get a contract extension.

Coach Lawrence Frank said Kidd phoned him complaining of a migraine yesterday at about 2 p.m. Kidd never showed for last night's 100-93 defeat against the Knicks, also short-handed, in the Meadowlands.

Maybe it was the contract extension he sought and did not receive. Maybe it is the general state of the team. Maybe it is a desire for a trade. Whatever the reason, whatever the cause, Kidd chose a game against the division rival Knicks to state his case. And the Nets certainly proved how much they need Kidd, losing to the 6-11 Knicks who were without Eddy Curry and Stephon Marbury.

"He's on strike," on team source said.

Kidd's teammates were tight-lipped, though one claimed, "I can't picture Jason doing that. I would be disappointed if he did."

But another source said the Nets were planning on - if not already - talking to Dallas, the Lakers and perhaps Cleveland about a trade. Kidd nearly was traded to the Lakers last February.

Asked after the game about Kidd, Frank said, "Right now my thoughts are with this game."

The Nets (9-10, 4-7 at home) were drastically short-handed all evening and played the first half with eight available bodies. Josh Boone, down with a migraine - he has a history of the ailment - was on the bench for the second half but did not play. Jamal Crawford scored 29 and Zach Randolph had 25 for the Knicks. Richard Jefferson scored 31 points and Vince Carter had 19 for the Nets.

Kidd's absence immediately caused some consternation within the organization because of the All-Star's recent unhappiness over the Nets rejecting his camp's bid for a one-year, $13 million contract extension. Kidd vented about the team recently in Utah, claiming the club possessed a glass jaw while expressing doubts about the future. After a sit-down with team president Rod Thorn, Kidd backed off and proclaimed all was fine.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12062007/sports/nets/sources__on_strike_kidd_decides_to_sit_o_808437.htm?page=1

[J$crILLa]

damn Kidd gettin fed up

[wcsoldier]

true or not , another player who will stay with his team .. as Kobe, Kirilenko, Marion and J.O .. medias are boring

[PLANT]

Kidd wants to play with James in Cleveland
 
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
December 5, 2007


There was no migraine headache holding Jason Kidd out of the New Jersey Nets' loss to the New York Knicks Wednesday night, but a superstar sending a message to a floundering franchise that he's irate with management and teammates, several league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

As the Nets flew back to New Jersey late Tuesday from a victory over Cleveland, sources said Kidd already had decided he would be sitting out against the Knicks in the Meadowlands. Kidd didn't tell Nets officials until Wednesday afternoon, but several people inside and outside the organization were made aware of the meaning behind his sick day.

Kidd's agent, Jeff Schwartz, isn't believed to have formally demanded a trade, but Wednesday's bold act could be the precursor to starting that process. Two sources said Kidd has been a constant text messaging partner with LeBron James since playing with him this summer on Team USA and that the Cavaliers are his preferred destination.

"They've been communicating about the (trade) options that could get them together in Cleveland," one Eastern Conference official said.

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As one Nets official confessed, Kidd's absence due to a purported migraine was "very suspicious." No one wanted to believe he would sit out a game in protest, but that's how bad it has become between Kidd and the longtime laughingstock that he delivered credibility to. He has no history of migraines with the Nets, and with the way he traditionally has loved to destroy the Knicks, the timing of a walkout left Nets officials deeply disturbed.

In an act of defiance that has been building for most of this season, Kidd, 34, has grown irritated over his belief that the franchise no longer is chasing greatness while his chance for a championship closes. He called out his teammates two weeks ago in Utah, just days after his bid for a contract extension was spurned by team president Rod Thorn. Right now, the Nets are 9-10 and going nowhere.

Thorn has praised Kidd for a "football player's" mentality when it comes to playing hurt, but the point guard privately is wondering how much more he wants to sacrifice his body for a team mired in mediocrity. So far this season, Kidd has played brilliantly for the Nets, second to Steve Nash with 10.4 assists. He performed with cracked ribs and a bad back a year ago, pushing the Nets past the Toronto Raptors in the opening round of the playoffs by averaging a triple-double.

Yet Kidd has been frustrated with some of his teammates' inability to stay on the floor and play through pain, especially Vince Carter. These days, everything about the Nets bothers Kidd. Everyone had to wonder Wednesday night: Could this have been the beginning of the end for Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets?
 

[F-cisco]

He had a chance to play with Tim Duncan three years ago, granted, he signed with the nets for the max. But If you're serious about winning a champsionship wouldn't you sacrifice 10 or 12 million dollars?  Since then the spurs have won two titles and never looked back; and Kidd is stuck in limbo with a mediocre team. I love it when superstars try to force trades and escape lol...   

[Bay Area Jat]

id love to see kidd and LBJ playing together

[Antonio_]

He had a chance to play with Tim Duncan three years ago, granted, he signed with the nets for the max. But If you're serious about winning a champsionship wouldn't you sacrifice 10 or 12 million dollars?  Since then the spurs have won two titles and never looked back; and Kidd is stuck in limbo with a mediocre team. I love it when superstars try to force trades and escape lol...

That's nothing but the truth, here. If you want to win a title you don't sign with the Nets.

[Fuck Your Existence]

That's nothing but the truth, here. If you want to win a title you don't sign with the Nets.

lol word,sucks though..Kidd is one of my favorites

[Lunatic]

id love to see kidd and LBJ playing together

[Doggystylin]

i really don't see him coming to LA, we have no one to offer plus were loaded at the point with Fisher, Farmar and Crittenton

[7even]

I hope he joins the Cavs. No doubt I'd like his ass on the Mavs but considering his age and salary it just can't happen. We'd have to give up something like Terry + Stackhouse to come close to his salary, and that's too much for a 38% shooting guy who turns 35 sooner than later.

[GangstaBoogy]

i really don't see him coming to LA, we have no one to offer plus were loaded at the point with Fisher, Farmar and Crittenton

Actually we have the most to offer: young talent, decent draft picks, and of course Kwame's expiring contract. I doubt if they'd trade him to Cleveland and have to deal with Kidd and Lebron all year and possibly in the playoffs. And Dallas doesn't have much to offer. The problem is Rod Thorn is going to be a bitch and want Bynum in any deal and ruin our chances all over again. I know Kobe would still want Kidd but at what rate?

[Bay Area Jat]

i really don't see him coming to LA, we have no one to offer plus were loaded at the point with Fisher, Farmar and Crittenton

you already know that kobe is gonna be pissed if kidd ends up anywhere besides LA

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

We better not give up Bynum for him.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

He had a chance to play with Tim Duncan three years ago, granted, he signed with the nets for the max. But If you're serious about winning a champsionship wouldn't you sacrifice 10 or 12 million dollars?  Since then the spurs have won two titles and never looked back; and Kidd is stuck in limbo with a mediocre team. I love it when superstars try to force trades and escape lol...

That's nothing but the truth, here. If you want to win a title you don't sign with the Nets.

They were actually contenders at the time...