Done Deal

So Dave D. is reporting that Keith Van Horn has signed off on his return to the New Jersey Nets, which means the Jason Kidd trade can go through.

Here's what it appears to be: Kidd and Malik Allen to the Mavs for Devin George, Desagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, and Van Horn, plus 2 first round picks (2008 and 2010) and $3 million cash. A separate deal is Antoine Wright to the Mavs for the Mavs' $1.6 million trade exemption.

So, the Kidd era is over. We're planning some sort of retrospective, but suffice it to say the man was huge to the franchise.

Now your roster will eventually look like this:

5 G's - Vince Carter, Devin Harris, Marcus Williams, Darrell Armstrong, Trenton Hassell

6 F - Richard Jefferson, Nenad Krstic, Boki Nachbar, Sean Williams, Maurice Ager (also plays G), Keith Van Horn

3 C's - Josh Boone, Desagana Diop, Jamaal Magloire

Try and win with that.

Figure the trades aren't over, even if they don't happen before February 21. Diop and Van Horn expire at season's end, clearing some space, as does Magloire's one year deal, assuming he's still around. I wouldn't expect Ager to stick around, nor Hassell, either. With 2 first rounders, there is potential to package or draft, get younger and more athletic and build around the PGs Harris and Williams.

But, frankly, nothing would surprise me anymore.

Joe