NBA: Kidd to join Knicks, report says

NBA teams cannot sign free agents until July 11 but talks could begin July 1 and a series of deals have already been reported, including an offer to Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin by Houston worth about $30 million over four years.

The Knicks have the right to match the deal in order to keep Lin and could do that and have Kidd serve as a mentor to the young talent, but Kidd would also be a key backcourt figure if the Knicks decide to let Lin leave.

The newspaper reported that Kidd and the Mavericks were close to completing a multi-year deal before the 39-year-old guard changed his mind and decided to join the Knicks.

Kidd, an 18-year NBA veteran and 10-time NBA All-Star, averaged 6.2 points, 5.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game in 48 appearances for the Mavericks last season. He won his only NBA crown with Dallas in 2011.

Kidd has averaged 13.0 points, 9.0 assists and 6.4 rebounds in 1,315 career games with Dallas, Phoenix and New Jersey.