Slam Dunk Central

Let’s throw out here a devil’s advocate question: if you’re one of the elite point guards in the NBA, are 34 years old and making around $20 million per season, do you, after assessing your season stats and contract status go to upper management of the team you play for and request an extension - even if you have not quite 2 years remaining on your current contract?Well, Dave d’Allesandro of the Newark Star-Ledger is reporting that New Jersey point guard Jason Kidd, despite having a contract that runs through the 2008-09 season, is looking for an extension that would keep him in New Jersey through at least the 2009-10 season (1-year extension). Kidd’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, recently approached Nets president Rod Thorn about an extension.

The problem is this: Kidd will be 36 when his current contract expires; also take into consideration that it is highly unlikely that Nets management will pay $24 million (the 1-year extension salary per season) for someone who is older than Vince Carter, who is only 30. Also factor in that Carter just signed an extension of his own - $61.8 million to be exact - so theoretically, Kidd’s age and what he is requesting is not realistically doable. The timing of the extension request isn’t exactly very good, either.

Mind you, that is not a knock on Kidd at all - he is one of the best point guards out there. However, if the Nets don’t turn an appreciable profit, then all of those good intentions won’t mean a thing. I would submit that Kidd should wait until the final year of his current contract then revisit the extension issue.