As the Nets go down to the wire before today’s 3 p.m. trade deadline, it was revealed a few minutes ago that point guard Jason Kidd has been standing on the trading block with a cracked rib discovered recently when he had his sore back examined.
It’s not clear whether the injury, not disclosed until coach Lawrence Frank confirmed a published report in The New York Times today, has affected Kidd’s trade value with respect to the Lakers’ hot pursuit of the soon-to-be 34-year-old future Hall of Famer.
Kidd missed the Nets’ last two games before the All-Star break, and the All-Star game, with what the team described as a lower back strain. When Kidd underwent a CT scan to pinpoint the injury – Frank said doctors were even concerned about his kidneys at one point – the test revealed the cracked rib.
Kidd, who didn't practice today, isn’t certain when it happened, but Frank believes it was at Orlando on Feb. 2, when Kidd was held scoreless in a 119-86 loss after which he “couldn’t even sit down,” Frank said.
“I guess the implication was that it was being concealed, which would be a falsehood,” Frank said after practice today. “The reason Jason wasn’t able to play in those last two games against San Antonio and Toronto, and the All-Star game, was because of his back. Does he have a cracked rib? Yes. But that wasn’t what was preventing him. He’s played with the cracked rib.
“We’re not going to divulge every knick, knack, bruise, bump, if it’s not preventing a guy from playing,” Frank said. “Now he’s in a situation where he’s still sore, both back and rib.”
As I am writing this, Nets officials had no indication that a trade of either Kidd or Vince Carter would happen by 3 p.m. A person outside the organization with knowledge of the team’s trade discussions just told me, “I don’t think anything’s going to happen.”
Carter, clearly sick of the trade questions, sounded like someone who plans on staying in New Jersey – at least through the end of the season.
“Right now it’s just all about finding a way and getting better,” Carter said. “It’s plain and simple, no trickery, no nothing. We’ve just got to get it done, plain and simple. We’ve got 27 games to get it done, and if not, it’s going to be a long summer.”
Carter continued his vow of silence about his contract, dodging a question about whether the Nets put an extension on the table for him as the trade deadline approached.
“Still not talking about it,” Carter said. “We’ll find out when it’s time.”
The Atlanta Hawks have completed the only trade to this point, acquiring veteran point guard Anthony Johnson from Dallas for a second-round pick. According to ESPN.com, Portland has agreed to ship Juan Dixon to Toronto for Fred Jones.
Stay tuned for the fallout and analysis after the deadline passes.
Comments (2)
I'm waiting for the in depth break down of Juan Dixon for Fred Jones.
This just isn't the Nets year. Krstic, RJ, the Kidd/Carter divorce, this Kidd injury. Good for them not trading away Kidd to the Lakers for dog crap. There should be a better market in the offseason.