The arrival of Carter provides Kidd with another hovering target at whom to aim his slow-pitch softballs, which could have one of two effects on Kidd's contentedness as a Net. On the sunny side, it could reinvigorate him, inspiring him to recapture the elite status his team enjoyed prior to this season. On the flip-flop, it could remind Kidd that this team abandoned Martin, a ferocious rebounding power forward who played with determination and energy every night, for Carter, an occasional competitor and reluctant defender who is basically an older and more fragile version of Jefferson.
For the record, Kidd has not rescinded his trade demand, and it remains unclear if this trade does anything to appease Kidd, who response to the move has been a series of platitudes and cliches. Some speculate the acquisition of Carter makes Kidd more tradable, as the team's ad wizards can now hawk Carter, who gets voted into every All-Star game whether he plays or not, rather than the older and surlier Kidd.
What's worse, New Jersey sacrificed most of its frontcourt to obtain Carter, leaving not a single starting-caliber player in the Nets' power rotation. Kidd is an outstanding rebounder, but that doesn't mean he wants to do it. Forcing him to rebound will not only slow down the fast break, which is New Jersey's only chance to compete, it will spark further nostalgia for Martin in both Kidd and Nets fans. This trade absolutely begs for a follow-up transaction - quickly - to strengthen what may now be the NBA's most severe personnel deficiency.
Alonzo Mourning
If a $10 million buyout of his contract is completed as expected, Mourning will never play for the Raptors, leaving Zo free to sign with the team of his choice. Conventional wisdom and common sense finds that team to be the Miami Heat, where Mourning spent a decade of his career. The Heat, who were reluctant to trade for the still-recovering Mourning at the salary the Nets were paying him, will gladly sign him for a pro-rated $1 million, the minimum for a player of Mourning's tenure. Zo will not only provide a solid extra layer to Miami's already capable collection of big men, but will further excite a fan base still ecstatic over the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal.
