Dealing younger Harris for Kidd big risk for Mavs

Dallas trading for Jason Kidd could qualify as a bigger gamble than Phoenix taking on Shaquille O'Neal.

Kidd's skills haven't slid nearly as far as O'Neal's, but the difference is in the compensation. Phoenix traded a key player in Shawn Marion, but one who wasn't happy playing with Amare Stoudemire and who might have left this summer as a free agent, anyway.

Dallas would take a step up in age by giving away point guard Devin Harris, who turns 25 in two weeks and is 10 years younger than Kidd. Harris has shown nice improvement this season, averaging 14.4 points and 5.3 assists, up from 10.2 and 3.7 a year ago.

Harris might not ever match Kidd's assist average, but the former Wisconsin star has the speed to become a reasonable match for San Antonio's Tony Parker.

Dallas is also expected to lose center DeSagana Diop in the deal with New Jersey. He's the Mavs' best defensive big man, which could be a costly loss against teams like the Lakers or Spurs in the playoffs.

One has to wonder if Dallas management overreacted to bad losses in New Jersey and Philadelphia earlier this week. The Mavs should keep in mind that Harris hasn't played since Jan. 27 because of an ankle injury and the team was just 4-4 without him.

From New Jersey's perspective, this trade is a home run. They'd be getting a promising young point guard, plus cap relief.