In the summer of 2003, then-New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd was one of the top names on the free-agent market. Kidd had just led the Nets to their second straight Finals berth, where they lost to the Tim Duncan-led San Antonio Spurs in six games. At the time, the Spurs were unsure if second-year point guard Tony Parker was their point guard of the future. With Kidd entering free agency in 2003, the Spurs had interest in him. Ultimately, Kidd re-signed with the Nets. But now, 13 years later, Kidd reveals how he wonders how his career would have gone had he chosen otherwise.
On the day when Duncan announced his retirement after one of the all-time great NBA careers, Kidd revealed Monday that he actually told the San Antonio Spurs he would team up with Duncan when Kidd was the most sought-after free agent in 2003.
Calling it “the biggest disappointment,” Kidd said he still has nightmares about his decision to stay in New Jersey and sign a six-year, $103 million deal with the Nets, who were shortly later broken up by new ownership despite having a roster featuring the key players from two consecutive NBA Finals.
“I thought I was going to be a Spur,” Kidd, now the Milwaukee Bucks coach, said while watching his team during the Las Vegas Summer League on Monday. “I committed when I was down there on my visit (to San Antonio).
“On my flight home, I think I got cold feet,” Kidd continued. “And sometimes I have nightmares about that. Maybe I could have won a championship or two there. But I got really lucky with Dallas and won a championship.” – NBA -Sportsman
