Jason Kidd... LA Laker?

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Kobe, LeBron open to adding another star to squads

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James could use some help for their teams, but they haven't asked for it.

Both players said they hadn't talked to their respective teams about any moves heading into Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

Nets president Rod Thorn told ESPN Insider's Chris Sheridan on Sunday that there was only a "5 percent chance" that he would trade anyone on his roster by Thursday's deadline.

The Lakers are one of the teams mentioned in the rumors of a Jason Kidd trade out of New Jersey, and Kidd came up behind Bryant for a hug Saturday afternoon. And while Bryant said "Who doesn't" want a player like Kidd on his team, he didn't know how much of a chance there was of it happening.

"I just kind of hear basically what you guys hear," Bryant said. "I hear all the talk going on but I don't really know the seriousness of it or the possibility of it.

"In our position, we're a team that's extremely young and if you have an opportunity to bring a player like Jason Kidd in, that's something that you definitely, definitely have to look at. Nobody's approached me on it yet, that's why I don't know if it's talk or if it's rumor."

James' Cavaliers were inconsistent for most of the first half of the season, and they could surely use another player to complement their superstar. But James said he had no plans to talk to Cleveland management about making a deal.

"We haven't really talked about that," he said. "I think right now our team has been very successful, not where we might have wanted to be but we finished up the first half on a good note. I haven't gotten involved in anything, talking about trades or deadlines or anything like that."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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There were trade rumors Sunday that Jason Kidd could be dealt to the Lakers in a three-way trade that included the Trail Blazers. -- Denver Post

The Lakers and Nets remain far apart on a trade involving Jason Kidd, with the Lakers less immersed recently because Kidd's back has flared up, a league source said. The Lakers are also unwilling to part with Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and, to a degree, Luke Walton, limiting the pool of players the Nets could acquire from them. -- Los Angeles Times

There doesn't seem to be much doubt that Isiah Thomas will return next season. The one thing that remains unclear is whether Thomas will continue to serve as both Knicks president and head coach. -- New York Daily News

Nets president Rod Thorn said recently he was still trying to gauge whether Vince Carter has more definitive plans this summer, after divulging that his leading scorer "wants to become a free agent." In other words, he wanted to be clear whether Carter will opt out of his contract in June, which could have a profound effect on what action the team takes this week. -- Newark Star-Ledger

The word wafting around All-Star weekend is that Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan is in the process of buying a residence in Charlotte. That wouldn't be a huge surprise, after his recent divorce. Jordan figures to be more hands-on in overseeing the Bobcats' roster this summer. -- Charlotte Observer

One general manager said the Bulls have been calling around the NBA looking for "a big," suggesting they've moved on from the Pau Gasol talks and are satisfied just to add a role-playing forward or center like Etan Thomas, Nazr Mohammed, Danny Fortson, Jamaal Magliore, Jerome James, Dale Davis, Brian Skinner, Tony Battie, Sean May or Primoz Brezec. -- Chicago Tribune

Pau Gasol told reporter Alejandro Delmas that he feels betrayed by Grizzlies management, that he never asked or demanded to be traded, that he said he just wants to be with a winning team and wondered what Memphis was planning to do in that direction. All this was discussed in what was supposed to be a private, off-the-record meeting that he never revealed. -- Chicago Tribune

Potentially the tensest moment of Sunday's All-Star Game never materialized. Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade didn't greet one another as the Western and Eastern Conference starters met at midcourt circle just before the opening tip. Each bumped fists and man-hugged with just about every starter out there. Somehow, Nowitzki and Wade missed sharing pleasantries. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Las Vegas is a natural to host more All-Star weekends, but not without a new arena. The league spent plenty in upgrades on the Thomas and Mack Center, where UNLV plays, and it still wasn't satisfactory. -- Charlotte Observer

Like any other city seeking an NBA franchise, Las Vegas must be vetted for either relocation or expansion. Studies of the potential fan base, corporate support, facilities, and transportation in Las Vegas are not yet on the NBA agenda. The commissioner also maintains that the NBA must come off the sports books for the city to earn consideration for a team. -- Boston Globe

Many of the moves linked to the Heat in advance of Thursday's NBA trading deadline would put the team perilously close to the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax in ensuing seasons. Already, coach Pat Riley has been told by owner Micky Arison that the goal remains to avoid the tax on excessive payrolls, both now and in future seasons. -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

According to Fred Hoiberg, assistant general manager for the Wolves, it's not definite that the career of suspended forward Eddie Griffin is completely over with the club. Griffin has been working out with the Wolves to find out if he can contribute, or if a trade can be worked out while lawyers talk about a contract settlement. -- Minneapolis Star Tribune