Bodog Beat

Could Jason Kidd finally be on his way to Dallas? (AP Images)

Now possibly the most drawn-out transaction in the history of the National Basketball Association, the Jason Kidd-to-Dallas deal looks like it might be nearing a completion.

According to ESPN NBA analyst Mark Stein, the key to the deal might be a guy who doesn't even play in the Association anymore – former Maverick and New Jersey Net Keith Van Horn.

Stein reports that Van Horn – who will receive an estimated $4.3 million for the rest of the season for doing absolutely nothing – is the financial flex that will allow the deal to make sense for both clubs. KVH hasn't played basketball since the 2006 NBA Finals, so there are some stipulations with regards to his role in the transaction.

Namely, he can't just be a part of the deal in name only.

Van Horn will have to pass a physical and make himself available to actually play for New Jersey (should the mood so strike the Nets to actually activate him). Simply put, he can't just sit home and collect a paycheque without actually pretending to be interested in playing basketball again. Aaah, the NBA.

There is no specific timeline on the deal, although sources close to the situation believe it will be finalized by the middle to end of this week.

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