Kidd wouldn't mind playing for Nets, Knicks

Jason Kidd in Brooklyn as the Nets' backup point guard?

It could happen, if you believe Kidd. Speaking this afternoon on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN NY's 98.7FM, the soon-to-be free agent certainly left open the possibility of setting up shop somewhere in the metro area next season as a member of the Nets or Knicks.

"I wouldn't mind either one," Kidd said. "They both have great situations and I wouldn't rule those two out."

When pointed out both franchises may not be ready to win championships immediately and if that's something that ultimately would be a deciding factor, Kidd seemed to brush that off.

"No," he said. "Winning comes in different stages. I had the opportunity to play for the Nets and no one ever thought we would achieve what we did as a team. So you never can rule out the possibility of getting to the Finals. But if I am backing up Deron [Williams] or Jeremy Lin or Steve Nash somewhere, that fits me perfectly."

Kidd, who indicated money wouldn't be a huge factor, appeared to be really intrigued by the idea of suiting up for a second stint with the Nets, this time in Brooklyn. 

"Yeah, I think Brooklyn, since the Dodgers left, they have been waiting for a team to come back," Kidd said. "So I think there will be a lot of excitement and I think that team, they are going to put a team out that is going to be very competitive next year."

Kidd also talked up Lin and was open to aiding in his growth.

"I think he had a great run until he got hurt," Kidd said, "but I think he has all the tools to be a legitimate point guard in this league."

Kidd, of course, could be simply playing the diplomatic role. But he said he's not trying to play with the emotions of fans of the Nets and Knicks.

"I’m not teasing. I’m trying to be as honest as possible," Kidd said. "I mean, that’s just the facts. You look at the Knicks and they have a great young group, and they have a guy over there that I played with and won a championship with. Tyson [Chandler] is great. So I wouldn't mind seeing him and trying to help those guys win.

"But we’ll see what come happens July 1."

As for his first stint with the Nets, Kidd remembers it with a fondness.

"We had a great team," he said. "Nobody really expected anything from us. We just went out, and played hard, and found ourselves in the Finals twice. Unfortunately, we came up short. We really should have won one of them, and that would have ben great for Jersey to have a championship."