With Deron Williams off the market, the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks are reportedly focused on a trio of point guard possibilities for next season.
Various media said Tuesday that the teams are eyeing some combination of Jeremy Lin, Steve Nash and Jason Kidd.
Reports originally said that Kidd would follow Deron Williams to Brooklyn as a veteran backup, but indications are now that said scenario is definitely out. That keeps him on the table as a veteran option for the Knicks, especially if they stick with Jeremy Lin as their focal point.
The Knicks certainly see Steve Nash as a valuable target, but as they are unable to offer a blockbuster contract, a sign-and-trade seems to be their only real option. And given the news that Landry Fields received a lucrative offer from Toronto, constructing such a deal will now be very difficult.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, view signing either Nash or Lin as a priority but would focus on Kidd once those pieces fall into place.
Nash, in particular, remains a prime target around the league. In addition to the Knicks and Mavericks, the Lakers and Raptors are also reportedly in the hunt. The Raptors can offer the most competitive deal and have made a concerted effort to bring the Canadian up north, but they might not be competitive enough to lure the aging Nash away from a contender.
With a Nash return to the Phoenix Suns looking less likely (though not impossible), the team remains interested in bringing back Goran Dragic, whom they traded in 2011. Dragic, who is eyeing a multi-year contract valued at $10 million annually, is also a renewal focus for the Houston Rockets, who ideally see Dragic–not Kyle Lowry–as the starting point guard next year.
According to Yahoo! Sports, there are other potential suitors involved in the race, although the Mavericks might no longer be one of them. They apparently do not want to meet his desired salary.
