NBA Capsules: Kidd to return to Dallas with three-year, $25 million deal

DALLAS - Jason Kidd has told the Mavericks he will return to the team after they offered him a three-year contract worth more than $25 million.

Kidd, 36, whom the Mavericks traded for in February 2008, had been pursued by the New York Knicks, among others, in the free-agent period this summer but has agreed to come back to the Mavericks, owner Mark Cuban said Sunday.

"We are excited to have Jason Kidd back in a Mavs uniform," Cuban said. "He was a major contributor for us last year, and we expect more of the same next year.

"We also are excited to have him tutor Roddy Beaubois and J.J. Barea. This is hopefully the first of several deals to come in the next couple weeks."

The Knicks could not offer Kidd a contract that would be competitive with what the Mavericks could offer. Barring a sign-and-trade, the Knicks were limited to offering a contract starting at about $5.5 million, expected to be the mid-level exception when the salary cap is confirmed by the NBA later this week.

Free agents have been allowed to negotiate since Wednesday, but cannot officially sign contracts until this Wednesday. The Mavericks had the hammer with Kidd because they could offer considerably more money than any other team.

They also are in the running for restricted free agent Marcin Gortat, the 6-11 center who played for Orlando last season.

The Mavericks were eager to re-sign Kidd for many reasons. He is one of the keys to their pursuit of other free agents in 2010 that may give the organization a better chance of competing for a championship.

Next summer is viewed as a huge free-agent bonanza.

Kidd earned more than $21 million last season and helped the Mavericks finish 50-32. They advanced to the second round of the playoffs, losing to Denver.

Kidd, a 15-season veteran, was chosen by the Mavericks with the second pick in the 1994 draft but was traded to Phoenix in December 1996. The Mavericks reacquired him in a trade that sent Devin Harris to New Jersey.

Kidd has averaged 9.8 points and 8.9 assists per game for the Mavericks. He will enter the 2009-10 season with 10,199 assists, most among active players and third all-time behind John Stockton (15,806) and Mark Jackson (10,334).

Eddie Sefko writes for The Dallas Morning News.

Rasheed Wallace apparently prefers Celtics' green

Looking to add a big man, the Orlando Magic have apparently lost an option as veteran power forward Rasheed Wallace has reportedly agreed to sign with the Boston Celtics as a free agent.

Wallace will sign a two-year contract at the mid-level exception, the Boston Globe reported on Sunday.

Magic General Manager Otis Smith said last week that the club had contacted Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland.

Smith said there was a "possibility" of bringing Wallace to Orlando for an interview and show him the Magic's facilities, but the Celtics put the full-court press on Wallace last Wednesday, the opening day of free agency.

The Celtics' "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, as well as Coach Doc Rivers and owner Wyc Grousbeck, showed up to court Wallace, and, according to reports, Boston offered him a contract.

Wallace, who turns 35 in September, should strength the Celtics' hopes to add another title after winning the championship in 2008.

The Magic's two main rivals in the Eastern Conference - the Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers - have added big men to counter 6-foot-11 all-star Dwight Howard.

Wallace, 6-11, gave Howard fits when Orlando faced the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs in 2007 and 2008. The Cavs acquired 7-1 Shaquille O'Neal from the Phoenix Suns to team with LeBron James.

The Magic's options for a big man could include Brandon Bass, whom they have contacted, along with Joe Smith, Antonio McDyess, Drew Gooden, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Channing Frye, Malik Allen, Zaza Pachulia, Rasho Nesterovic and Francisco Elson.

The Magic lost power forward Tony Battie when he was included in the Vince Carter trade. And apparently, they will not be able to retain center Marcin Gortat. They are expected to receive an offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks for Gortat.

Free agents can begin signing contracts with their new teams on Wednesday. Because Gortat is a restricted free agent, the Magic will have seven days from Wednesday to match any offer.

Michael Rosenberg writes for The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.). Distributed by McClatchy Newspapers.

From the AP

Reports: Wallace agrees to deal with Celtics

Two newspapers are reporting the Celtics have reached an agreement with free agent Rasheed Wallace.

Bill Strickland, Wallace's agent, told the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe on Sunday night that the 34-year-old forward told him to call off meetings the agent was in the process of scheduling with the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.

Wallace played the last six seasons with the Detroit Pistons, where he won an NBA championship in 2004. He heads to a Celtics team loaded with veterans such as Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, and hoping to make at least one more title run.

Wallace has averaged 15 points and 6.9 rebounds in 14 NBA seasons. He averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.