N.B.A. Today Deadline Countdown

Two more days until the deadline, and the Jason Kidd to Dallas deal has finally been completed, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. Kidd, bench player Malik Allen and young F Antoine Wright were sent to Dallas for rising star PG Devin Harris, the expiring contracts of DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, and Keith Van Horn, young G Maurice Ager, first round picks in 2008 and 2010 and $3 million in cash. A 2nd rounder going to the Nets for Wright couldn't be worked out. SOS NBA Insider Cameron Berns talked about what Kidd will bring to the Mavericks: "Kidd will bring veteran leadership to this mavs team, and will give them a better chance to make a run for the finals, than origionally constructed."

News and Rumors
-The main rumor is not of a trade that may happen this week, but something brought up by Peter Vescey of the NY Post. He said that after last season's collapse to Golden State, Mavericks coach Avery Johnson wanted to trade Dirk Nowitzki because he wasn't the leader Johnson wanted. Avery was overruled and Dirk is still on Dallas. The Post also reports that the Nets are not likely done trading. Denver GM Kiki Vandeweghe has dangled Nene among others in trades for Jermaine O'Neal, Mike Miller, and Jamaal Tinsley among others. Denver, Cleveland, and Houston are interested in Andre Miller but the Sixers are going for quality over quantity. Boston is in front for Sam Cassell, but the Clippers will want more than a first round pick and an expiring contract. The Nuggets have no interest in either Zach Randolph or Ron Artest, but are interested in Tyronn Lue or Anthony Johnson. Isiah Thomas has been talking up Randolph and Eddy Curry in what perhaps is a desperate attempt at trying to build up their values.
-The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Heat could use the expiring contracts of Jason Williams and Ricky Davis for players like Mickael Pietrus, Mike Miller or Kyle Lowry but not Eddy Curry. The Heat would also like to deal Smush Parker. The Palm Beach Post suggests a sign-and-trade with Shawn Marion after the season.
-The NY Daily News reports that Isiah Thomas is denying his interest in the Indiana University job.
-The Bulls are shopping Ben Wallace and Ben Gordon, says the Chicago Tribune.
-The Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets are trying to trade Bonzi Wells, but don't expect Artest or Mike Miller to come to the Clutch City.
-According to the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cavs are talking about Mike and Andre Miller with Ira Newble the most likely trading piece. The Medina County Gazette reports that Cleveland is after Delonte West of OKC and Jarrett Jack of Portland.
-The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic are looking at a backup defensive big like Kurt Thomas, Chris Wilcox, Brian Skinner, Mark Madsen, or Udonis Haslem. They could trade players like Carlos Arroyo, Maurice Evans, Pat Garrity, James Augustine or Keyon Dooling. They will not trade JJ Redick.
-The Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Sixers are shopping Gordon Giricek.
-Gerald Green, Antoine Walker, and Theo Ratliff could be traded before the deadline, says the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
-The Racine Journal Times reports that Bucks GM Ed Harris has been overruled by superiors on trades (including one for Zach Randoph) and will be fired by Milwaukee after the season.
-The Sacramento Bee reports that Denver doesn't want to move Kleiza in an Artest trade, and the Rocky Mountain News reports that the Nuggets are in play for Mike Miller and Sam Cassell.