this would be an absolute steal

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>EAST RUTHERFORD – Jason Kidd was in the starting lineup and cheered by the sparse gathering at Izod Center on Tuesday night less than 24 hours after going public with the NBA's worst-kept secret this season: that he wants out of New Jersey.

Apparently, his saying "It's time to move on" hasn't changed how some Nets' fans feel about Kidd, and he didn't think it would.

"I think being here for seven years, I've given a lot to the Nets and New Jersey has given a lot back to me," Kidd said after the team snapped a nine-game losing streak with an 87-80 win over the Bucks on Tuesday night. "For a comment to be made and for it to ruin everything we have here, I didn't think that was going to be the scenario."

That's the closest a defiant Kidd came to acknowledging what he told ESPN.com Monday. When Kidd was asked about whether he thinks he'll be a Net for the rest of the season, he replied, "It was a good win. It was a good try."

He then was asked specifically about his desire to remain a Net.

"Strike two," Kidd said.

The third strike would seem to be on Kidd's Nets' career.

It's doubtful the Nets will be as forgiving as their fans, as privately, members of the franchise say they feel let down by Kidd. Nets' president Rod Thorn continues to say he won't give away his best player, but it would seem Kidd's days in New Jersey are numbered.

Thorn and special assistant Kiki Vandeweghe are trying to find the right deal. But they were looking before it became public that Kidd has asked to be trade.

Initially, they were trying to move Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson and continue to build around Kidd. Now that doesn't seem like the best course of action. It also is possible the Nets will undergo a major rebuilding project and move more than one of the so-called Big Three.

The Nets are discussing a complicated three-team scenario with the Mavericks and Blazers in which Kidd would go to Dallas, league sources said.

In return, the Nets would get back young players (Jarrett Jack and Travis Outlaw), expiring contracts (Devean George, DeSagana Diop), Jerry Stackhouse, draft picks and cash. More players, including other Nets, would be involved.

There are other willing trade partners and possibilities as the Lakers, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Spurs and Suns also would like to be in the Kidd sweepstakes.

Before the game, the Nets downplayed Kidd wanting out, saying he will continue to play hard and lead them until he's no longer here.

"The captain's going to keep fighting," Jefferson said. "Even if he's not happy with the situation, no one's ever accused Jason of not playing hard."

The reality is it doesn't change things, since Kidd hasn't wanted to be here all season and has shown it. He's upset that Nets wouldn't extend his contract and with their losing record.

"This is business as usual," coach Lawrence Frank said. "This is the reality of the NBA. Jason is not the only player who has publicly asked for things.

"Regardless of what Jason said, we know he's going to be 100 percent committed to giving his best effort

The irony of Frank's last statement is that Kidd is no longer committed to the Nets, the franchise he helped turn into a contender and the same franchise that stuck with him when he made negative headlines.

Jefferson, who came to the Nets around the same time as Kidd in 2001, was asked if he would be disappointed if his teammate was traded. He chose his words carefully.</div>

Source: North Jersey