Jason Kidd may return Saturday

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Kidd may return Saturday

WASHINGTON - Jason Kidd may not only practice this weekend, but he may also make his season debut.

The Nets have received nothing but positive reports about the star point guard's condition and rehab from off-season microfracture surgery on his left knee. He is expected to practice Friday for the first time and could be in the Nets' lineup as early as Saturday's home game against Atlanta.

"There's a possibility," Nets president Rod Thorn said Wednesday night. "But until he's out there working out and we can get a reading on what his condition is, how he looks and how he takes the five-on-five drills, I don't know."

If not Saturday, Kidd could play Monday, also at home, against Toronto. Everything will depend on how his knee responds to extra work and scrimmaging. Up to now, Kidd has only been doing one-on-one or two-on-two drills.

Thorn said Saturday or Monday was "conceivable."

Today, Thorn, general manager Ed Stefanski and coach Lawrence Frank will talk to Kidd's surgeon, Dr. David Altchek; his physical therapist, Matt Gibble; and Kidd to discuss how to approach Kidd's first practice and beyond.

The Nets don't want to rush Kidd, and they won't play him in a game until he's ready. But due to the lack of practices - they likely will have just four in the next 14 days - they may ease Kidd back into the lineup gradually. They could play him 10 minutes a half and see how he feels.

"If he's physically ready, do you wait until he gets X amount of practices in?" Frank said. "Or do you see what he's like after a practice or two and then slowly integrate him with the team? We don't know where he's at right now, but those are things to ponder."

It's obvious Kidd wants to play as soon as possible. One of the reasons is to prove he's healthy, so it ups his trade value. Kidd wants to be dealt to a contender, such as Minnesota, Dallas or Denver.

The Nets may not move him, though. Since the Atlantic Division is so bad, the Nets - 4½ games out of first entering Wednesday's action - could compete for the title with a healthy Kidd. The sooner he comes back, the better their chances are.

"I would hate to put undue stress on anybody," Frank said. "If he's not ready when he practices then he's not going to play. If he is ready, then it's open for discussion."

HORNETS LIKE AARON: Aaron Williams, one of Byron Scott's favorite players with the Nets, could be reunited with his former coach in New Orleans.

The Hornets, looking for help inside with Jamaal Magloire out up to three months with a dislocated finger, have contacted the Nets about Williams, a league source said.

It's unclear whom the Nets would get in return. But they're looking for young players with expiring contracts. Williams has two years left on his deal, plus a 12-percent trade kicker, which will make any deal difficult. There may even be a third team involved.

NETS BRIEFS: Ex-Net assistant Eddie Jordan returned to the Wizards' bench after missing the previous two game with a blood clot in his left leg. Another ex-Net employee, Mike O'Koren, went 1-1 filling in for Jordan. Each game was decided in overtime. ... The Wizards activated Kwame Brown before the game.