It looks like the Jason Kidd-to-Dallas trade may have hit a snag.
[Devean] George was supposed to be among the players headed to the New Jersey Nets in the megatrade, but he blocked it by not wanting to give up his “early Bird rights,” a provision earned by being in his second year and on his second contract with the Mavericks.
“We’re not trying to hold things up or be difficult, but just like teams make tough decisions all the time – about cutting players or making trades – they do what’s best for their team, and it’s my obligation to do what’s best for Devean,” his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Wednesday night.
“We don’t feel like it makes sense at this time. He’s starting right now and things are going pretty good.”
It was not immediately clear whether this was just a snag or a deal-breaker.
The only reason George is included in this deal is because he has an expiring contract that will be off the Nets’ books this summer. Now he and his agent want to hold up what would be the third blockbuster deal in as many weeks because he doesn’t want to give up his “early Bird rights” (a provision that allows teams to go over the salary cap to re-sign their own players).
It will be interesting to see how this shakes out. Methinks Mr. Kidd is none too happy with Mr. George at the moment.
