If Kidd Stays in Dallas, Knicks Might Chase Grant Hill

By JOHN P. WISE

Updated 10:15 AM EST, Thu, Jul 2, 2009

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The Knicks met with Jason Kidd on the first day of NBA free agency, but a deal seems doubtful considering what Dallas is willing to do to keep him.

Kidd and his agent met yesterday with Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are interested in Kidd, but plan to be cautious in free agency because they want to save salary cap space for the summer of 2010, when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will highlight perhaps the biggest free-agent class in NBA history.

Walsh told reporters that no offer was made to Kidd, who is exploring his options. But a report on ESPN.com suggests the Knicks have prepared a three-year offer to match Dallas' offer -- in length only -- but it's doubtful that Walsh would top the Mavs' $25 million bid for Kidd, who turns 38 next season.

The Knicks also have said they'd like to retain two of their own free agents, forward David Lee and guard Nate Robinson, if the prices are right. Should Kidd sign with the Knicks, look for the team to move Eddy Curry and/or Jared Jeffries for budgetary reasons.

If Kidd stays in Dallas, however, the Knicks might take a look at Grant Hill, another aging player whose best days are long behind him.

"Hill's a class act," D'Antoni told The New York Post yesterday. "He didn't miss a game last year. I think he's one of the best free agents out there."

Hill might have had perfect attendance in 2008-09, but his fourth-option role in a run-and-gun offense for a Phoenix lottery team should tell you all you need to know.