DALLAS — Jason Kidd finally got his ring elsewhere, after a “migraine” and years of listening to Bruce Ratner’s lip service to an on-again, off-again project in Brooklyn.
But with the Barclays Center nearly finished, Kidd said a final hurrah with the Nets is still a possibility if he doesn’t retire after this season — particularly if it means he’ll back up Deron Williams.
“You can’t rule that out. You have to see what happens,” said Kidd, who like Williams is slated to become a free agent this summer. “First I want to make sure I want to continue playing. But we’ll see what happens here in Dallas. I wouldn’t mind staying here in Dallas if that opportunity presents itself.
“But if Brooklyn presents itself, we’ll see.”
In an interview with the Daily News before the Nets 93-92 victory in Dallas, Kidd indicated his Hall of Fame career could end sooner than he expected. Although he has a target date in mind — about two years from now — retirement, or at least a reduced role, was clearly on his mind.
“My goal was to get to 20 years (in the NBA), but if I can’t compete and help a team or help develop a younger point guard, then I have to move aside,” said Kidd, who was averaging a career low 5.1 points this season. “I know (Williams) will play 40 minutes so I can give him an eight-minute break.”
Kidd said he and Williams built a relationship in the offseason during a golf outing in Lake Tahoe. They share an agent (Jeffrey Schwartz) and Kidd, who turns 39 on March 23, would gladly relinquish minutes to “a great guy who is well-rounded, down to earth. One of the best point guards in the league.”
Of course, another possibility is that both Williams and Kidd sign with Dallas. A day after Nets coach Avery Johnson called Mavericks owner Mark Cuban “a threat” to snatch Williams in free agency, general manager Billy King also recognized the dark cloud hovering over the franchise’s future.
“(Dallas signing Williams) is not a fear, it’s a reality,” King told Michael Kay on ESPN-1050 radio. “I don’t think it’s any secret. But I’m not fearful of them.”
Williams, who is from the suburbs of Dallas, called the Mavericks’ American Airlines Center his favorite arena. He bought out two suites for friends and family to watch him play Tuesday.
Kidd, whom the Nets traded to the Mavericks in 2008 after he spent seven years in Jersey, wants to back him up, whether it’s in Brooklyn or in Dallas. “Wherever he ends up, I’m going to try to end up. Package deal,” Kidd said with a laugh.
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