They are discussing a three-way trade with the Mavericks and Blazers that involves at least a dozen players, draft picks and cash. These deals are hard to pull off, but it is a possibility.

According to league sources and sources close to the team, the Nets would get point guard Jarrett Jack, forwards Travis Outlaw and Channing Frye, a first-round pick and cash from Portland and Devean George, DeSagana Diop, Jerry Stackhouse, a No. 1 and cash from the Mavericks.

Kidd would return to Dallas, where he started his career. The Mavericks also would get Malik Allen and Darrell Armstrong, the sources said. Portland would be getting at least point guard Devin Harris from Dallas.

More players would be involved to make it work.

Although Stackhouse likely would be bought out using some of the money the Nets obtain in such a trade, this would be a three-for-six deal. Since the Nets don't have roster room to take six players, they would have to move someone else for a pick or trade exception or waive someone with an expiring contract beforehand (likely Jamaal Magloire).

The Nets are said to be working on those scenarios as well.

Nothing is imminent as team officials continue to take calls and sift through offers. The Lakers, Nuggets, Cavaliers, Suns and Spurs would like to be in the sweepstakes. Thorn insists he won't give away Kidd.

A possible snag is Harris being out two to three weeks with an ankle injury.

Sources in and out of the organization have varying opinions on whether some form of this trade would happen. Some said it could, while others didn't sound as confident. Three-team deals always are difficult, though.

"Those are nearly impossible, especially to come out on the winning side of it," said one team executive in the East with no ties to the Nets.

The Nets would not be getting an All-Star-caliber player for Kidd, but it's hard to trade a high-salaried superstar and get back something comparable. Consider these examples from the last 3 1/2 years: Vince Carter, Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett.

It becomes harder when a player requests a trade as Kidd publicly did Monday.

"Teams are looking and thinking you have a possible fire sale going on or that you got to get the guy out," said another executive in the East who has been involved in trading a superstar. "Then you have everybody low-balling and giving you these offers that are ridiculous. Then you have to kind of reestablish that you're not trading the guy unless it's a deal that makes sense to your team."

Thorn would not comment on any negotiations and said there is a chance Kidd could remain a Net. He and Kidd met recently, sources said, to see if the relationship could be repaired. Thorn also would not comment on that.

He and Vandeweghe continue to look for the best deals for many of their players.

For Kidd, the Nets want young players, draft picks and expiring contracts for future flexibility. Diop and George are up after this season.

The Nets like Harris the second-best player in this scenario — but he signed a five-year, $43 million extension over the summer. Also, the Blazers, who would be giving up three of their top eight players, probably wouldn't be involved if they couldn't get Harris.