By Jonathan Lee
July 6, 2012

Jason Kidd, Jason Terry Exit Dallas via Free Agency

The Mavericks essentially punted last season in anticipation of jumping into free agency this summer.  Now they might be left with a pile of cash and no actual players to show for it.  The Knicks were able to lure Jason Kidd away with a three-year deal, and Jason Terry also left Big D to compete in the East with the Celtics.  Combined with Deron Williams remaining with the Nets, the two moves leave Dallas with a giant problem in the backcourt.

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Kidd is already 39 years old, but he will likely play a supporting role in New York.  The Knicks fully intend to keep Jeremy Lin, and Kidd has stated he would like to mentor the young Asian point guard.  Kidd is diminished as a player, but he does help in simulations and could play a vital role as a veteran voice in the locker room.  With or without him the Knicks currently project as the seventh team in the East.

The Mavericks struck out with Williams, and lost Terry and Kidd to free agency.  Other guards like Kyle Lowry, Jeremy Lin, Jameer Nelson, and Goran Dragic have already been or will be snapped up by other teams.  That leaves Dallas with only six players under guaranteed contracts for this season and Rodrigue Beaubois slated as the point guard for now.

Even in their advanced age, Kidd and Terry can still contribute to NBA teams.  It’s really a testament to the talent of Dirk Nowtizki that the Mavs would even project to finish 9th in the West with such a depleted roster with almost nothing left in the backcourt.  The only other players currently capable of playing guard for Dallas are Vince Carter and Dominique Jones.  Mark Cuban will need to be very active, and even more creative in the coming days to bring Dallas back to contention.

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