The 2011-2012 NBA season isn't close to being over, but it's never too early to talk about who will be free agents before the 2012-2013 season. For the most part, the top-ranked guard scheduled to be a free agent is New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams, but Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd, who is playing in his 18th season in the NBA, cannot be forgotten about either.
According to ESPN's Jeff Caplan, there is buzz that Williams could head to Dallas in the offseason to sign with the Mavericks, and if that's the case, Kidd would be happy to "pass the torch" to the younger guard and would be happy as his backup.
"It would be great to back him up," Kidd said Monday night, "wherever he’s at."
There's no guarantee that either Kidd or Williams will be in a Mavericks uniform when the 2012 season starts, but it's certainly a possibility that one, or maybe both, of them could be. For now, Kidd can serve as Williams' mentor from a distance as Williams is struggling with the 4-11 Nets.
"I was going to give him a call and just tell him to stay positive and keep teaching while you’re playing," Kidd said. "He’s got a young team. They’re going to make some adjustments, but they’re definitely looking towards the future in the sense of going into Brooklyn."
For more updates on the Mavericks, head to Mavs Moneyball, and for the Nets, check out Nets Daily.