Jason Kidd trade rumors are hardly new, but this time, they're probably for real. Nets President Rod Thorn and the guard have made no secret of the seemingly obvious incentives for both parties to want a deal before the Feb. 21 NBA trading deadline. Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter, the younger parts of the Big Three, have expensive contracts.

Kidd has had enough of playing well for a team that is inconsistent at best and a deeply flawed team at worst, saying that he wants to play for a competitive team. "It used to be if I got a triple-double, that was an automatic win. That's just not the case now. We tried to make this work. We've found out it doesn't. It's time for us all to move on." Rod Thorn said that he's not close to making any deals and that the Nets are "not in the process of giving players away."

The Nets probably should have moved Kidd last season. The holdup in a reported deal with the Lakers was Andrew Bynum, whom the Nets were wise to covet and the Lakers were wise to hold on to. Nevertheless, this Nets team has plateaued. In fact, it's on its way down. Carter probably isn't going to win a championship with the Nets, but at least he brings excitement and credibility to a team trying to make its way to Brooklyn. Jefferson is enjoying his best season and, while not a top-tier star in this league, is about as close as you get without being one. The Nets have lost nine straight with Kidd at the controls, so what can get worse? Even if the Nets don't get optimal return for Kidd, a main concern of Thorn's, they'll get something. A fast track to the draft lottery can happen with or without the future Hall of Famer.

To make matters worse for the Nets, they may have some issues moving to Brooklyn. The poor financial market coupled with ongoing lawsuits, could be an obstacle preventing Forest City Ratner from securing financing for Atlantic Yards and new Nets arena.

Photo of Jason Kidd and Vince Carter after a loss on January 22 by AP/Rich Pedroncelli