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Mavericks nearing trade for Kidd

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The proposed deal, which was first reported by ESPN.com, would send Kidd and Malik Allen to Dallas for Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, DeSagana Diop, Devean George, Maurice Ager and two future first-round draft picks. The Nets also would receive $3 millon.

Also, in a separate move, the Nets reportedly are close to trading Antoine Wright to the Mavs for a future second-round pick.

If completed, the Kidd trade would come only three days after Mavs owner Mark Cuban said a deal for Kidd was highly unlikely. Kidd is making $19.7 million this season.

"For us to make the numbers work in a deal like that, we'd have to trade away half the team," Cuban told reporters. "We're not doing that, so it just doesn't work. And, we like our team. We've got a lot of room for improvement and we hope to get better. But right now, I just don't see anything happening."

Trade speculation has followed Kidd since last February when the Nets were close to making a deal that would have sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In December, Kidd sat out a game against the New York Knicks with a migraine, a move suspected by some to be a one-day walkout to force a trade or new contract.

At a news conference, Kidd denied those were his motives, saying, "I am having one of my best seasons -- why would I want to be asked to be traded? And as a team, we are doing better than last year."

Then, last month, Kidd publicly demanded to be traded.

Kidd was acquired in a trade with Phoenix in 2001 and led the Nets to the NBA finals in 2002 and 2003. But his six-plus seasons have been tinged with off-court controversy.

His wife, Joumana, and their young son were subjected to taunts at Boston Garden in 2002 stemming from charges that he struck her in 2001 while playing for the Suns. Kidd was fined and underwent anger counseling.

Last year, both spouses filed restraining orders claiming physical abuse, and Joumana Kidd claimed in divorce papers that her husband cheated on her throughout their 10-year marriage.

In December, a 23-year-old model filed a lawsuit accusing Kidd of groping and threatening her at a Manhattan nightclub in October.

Those distractions have not affected Kidd on the court, according to Nets coach Lawrence Frank.

"One thing that is unique about Jason is his ability to separate anything else that goes on and, once he steps between those lines, give his best effort," Frank said. "He's proven that since he's been here as he's dealt with different things."

Kidd leads the league in triple-doubles this season with 12 and has 99 for his career, third behind Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. Earlier this month he became the sixth player in NBA history to reach 9,000 assists.