LISTEN: Newest Knick Jason Kidd Joins Joe & Evan
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) - Jason Kidd left Dallas Mavericks to sign with the Knicks, and on Friday he joined WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts to talk about what role he'll play with his new team.
Kidd's decision was a surprise in a dizzying stretch of point guard news. It was believed he would return to the Mavericks, especially after they missed out on Deron Williams, then things changed.
"I didn't feel comfortable with the decision and I called my wife and agent and told them I wanted to change my mind," Kidd said.
LISTEN: Jason Kidd with Joe & Evan
Kidd could rotate in with Jeremy Lin, or inherit the point guard role full time if the Knicks reverse course and decline to match an offer the Houston Rockets made to Lin, a restricted free agent whom they have said they intend to keep.
"I'm here to help coach [Mike] Woodson and the Knicks," Kidd said. "Whatever he needs me to do, I'm open."
However, he did state that he wants to be on the floor during the last six minutes of games.
The 39-year-old Kidd helped the Mavs to the 2011 NBA title and also ranks among the top five all-time in assists, steals, triple-doubles and 3-pointers. Even though he's slowed down from his perennial All-Star days, Kidd expressed optimism that he could still play as much as needed.
"I can go as long as they want me to go," he said.
Kidd could provide the veteran leadership the Knicks need and perhaps be the player who can maximize the production of the Carmelo Anthony-Amare Stoudemire tandem.
"I'm excited to be able to play with these guys," Kidd said. "I know I'm 39 but I feel more like I'm 32 right now."
Kidd had some of his best years in New Jersey, leading the Nets to a pair of NBA Finals, and still has children there. The Nets dominated the rivalry with the Knicks back then, and now Kidd will be on the other side of it as the Nets move into their new home in Brooklyn.
"I would have loved to go back to the Nets," Kidd said, but "it just didn't work."
Kidd said that he was golfing with Williams recently when he asked what team he might end up with.
"He had and eagle and I thought this would be the best time to ask," Kidd said. "He thought, at that time, he was going to sign with Dallas."
His loss continues a difficult summer for the Mavericks, who needed a point guard after Williams chose to stay with the Nets but have now watched Nash and Kidd get away.
The Knicks have said they plan to re-sign Lin, so it's unclear what Kidd's role will be. Perhaps they could even play together if the Knicks lose shooting guard Landry Fields, who agreed to an offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors.
Kidd praised Lin's abilities. "He has all the tools to be a consistent point guard in this league."
(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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