Devean George Blocks Jason Kidd Trade

With the New Jersey Nets poised to complete a blockbuster deal to send Jason Kidd back to Dallas on Wednesday night, Mavericks reserve forward Devean George has unexpectedly exercised his right to block the trade. Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that the teams verbally agreed to the deal earlier Wednesday and were preparing to submit the trade for league approval when George informed the Mavericks that he wouldn’t consent to being included in the deal, which is his right based on a rare provision in his one-year contract.

"Early Bird rights," a provision earned by being in his second year and on his second contract with the Mavericks, made the move possible.

"We’re not trying to hold things up or be difficult, but just like teams make tough decisions all the time — about cutting players or making trades — they do what’s best for their team, and it’s my obligation to do what’s best for Devean," his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said, according to The Associated Press.

"You don’t want to stop teams from doing their business, but we don’t feel like it makes sense at this time. He’s starting right now and things are going pretty good." [Click here for more from ESPN.]