Mavericks finally net Jason Kidd

With five words shortly before noon Tuesday, Jason Kidd officially returned to the Dallas Mavericks.

"Deal is done and official," Mavs owner Mark Cuban announced via e-mail.

After a week of torturous twists and turns, the NBA finally put its stamp of approval on the second version of a blockbuster trade that sends the disgruntled Nets point guard to the Mavs for up-and-comer Devin Harris.

"There's no bigger reward than to have that championship trophy in your hand," said Kidd, who lost in the NBA Finals twice with the Nets. "That's why I'm here. Because Dallas has its eye on that prize."

It became apparent Monday night that the trade would go through after serious doubt crept in numerous times throughout the saga. Harris is already in New Jersey for his physical.

Joining him in the trade are backup center DeSagana Diop, reserve swingman Trenton Hassell, little-used second-year guard Maurice Ager and the linchpin of the deal, the semi-retired Keith Van Horn, who will pocket $4 million to get the salaries to match.

The Mavs also throw in $3 million and first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010. To first sign Van Horn before they could trade him, the Mavs had to waive rookie Nick Fazekas on Tuesday.

Along with Kidd, the Mavs receive 6-foot-10 forward Malik Allen, who is not a typical banger, gathering just 2.7 rebounds and 5.4 points in 15.9 minutes a game, plus Antoine Wright, a third-year guard who has been slow to develop as a pro since leaving Texas A&M after his junior season.

Kidd, drafted by the Mavericks second overall in 1994 and then traded away by the former ownership in 1996, returns as one of the best assists men to play the game.

After taking over as point guard for the Nets in 2001-02, he transformed one of the worst assists teams in the league into one of the best the very next season, leading New Jersey into the NBA Finals.

"Jason Kidd has been the best player to wear a Nets uniform during my current tenure with the Nets," Nets team president Rod Thorn said in a statement released by the team. "He was the toughest competitor with the fiercest will to win, and he was the main component in the most successful period in the Nets' NBA history."

The Mavs already have the high-quality team. They're seeking the final leadership piece to return them to the Finals for a second time in three seasons, but this time to win it all, which would be a first for the franchise.

By making the trade and passing on the soon-to-be 25-year-old Harris, the Mavs have seemingly put a two-season window on winning a championship.

Next season Kidd will earn $21.4 million in the final year of his contract.