The Dallas Mavericks were thisclose to getting the Nets’ Jason Kidd yesterday, but someone had to throw a hissy fit because he didn’t want to get traded. That someone is former Laker and current Maverick Devean George. He’s part of the package Dallas was going to send to New Jersey for Kidd, but who has now decided he likes Dallas too much to switch teams. If you point your ears towards Dallas now, that screeching noise you hear is Mark Cuban sharpening his knives for today’s shoot-around session.

“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.

“You don’t want to stop teams from doing their business, but we don’t feel like it makes sense at this time. He’s starting right now and things are going pretty good.”

Yeah, they were pretty good. Get ready for road trips using Greyhound and sharing a hotel room with transients at the Motel 6. He’ll be begging for Jersey like Tony Soprano in Hell (or Miami with Paulie).

George creates snag in Kidd-to-Mavs deal [Sporting News]
Image [NBA.com]