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Jul 1, 2009 7:05 pm US/Central
Cuban "Really Happy" About Meeting With Kidd
DALLAS (AP) ―
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Jason Kidd No. 2 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles against Joakim Noah No. 13 of the Chicago Bulls on November 13, 2008 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban probably slept pretty soundly after his early morning meeting with Jason Kidd.
Cuban had a 12:01 a.m. meeting Wednesday with Kidd in New York, a symbolic gesture aimed at letting the free agent point guard know how much the club values him and wants to keep him.
Later Wednesday, Cuban wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the get-together "went well, i was really happy how it turned out."
Kidd also met Wednesday with Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni at Madison Square Garden. Several other clubs are expected to woo the 36-year-old star, perhaps including a top contender like the Cavaliers.
Kidd's agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not immediately respond to phone messages left at his office.
The Mavs also are targeting Orlando center Marcin Gortat, sending coach Rick Carlisle as one of their recruiters.
Gortat backed up Dwight Howard as a rookie last season and is now a restricted free agent, which means the Magic could keep him by matching any offer. However, with the addition of Vince Carter and his salary, Orlando isn't likely to invest heavily in the backup to their franchise player.
Dallas could view Gortat as a backup to Erick Dampier or possibly his eventual replacement. Dampier's expiring contract makes him potential trade bait this summer, so the starting spot could be open in months or by next season if Dampier ends up playing out his deal.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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