2 minutes to midnight

I'm rolling out the 80s metal lately... Mark Cuban flew into New York to catch Jason Kidd just after midnight, when the free agency period begins. His intention is to make his case with Kidd before the nine-time all-star meets with Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni about taking a discount to join the Knicks. Cuban may already know Kidd isn't that interested in returning to Dallas, where Rick Carlisle's control-oriented halfcourt sets aren't nearly as fun as D'Antoni's spread offense. But Cuban gave up Devin Harris to the Nets for Kidd a little over a year ago. If Kidd doesn't want to be a Mav, Cuban at least has to try to get him to accept a sign-and-trade scenario rather than to outright leave them in the dust. The Knicks are very serious about this and, I'm told, so is Kidd, whose three children live in the New York area. Sure, his game is on a swift decline (As one NBA executive said, "He's on fumes.") but the Knicks need him for more than his incredible court vision and ability to run an offense. They need credibility. Consider it like when the Mets targeted Pedro Martinez in 2005. Just bloggin. * * * Try to avoid getting too caught up in the speculation involving David Lee. Yes, the Carlos Boozer situation does change the game some because the Pistons had him on their list and perhaps will now set their sights on Lee. But keep in mind Paul Millsap, as a result of Boozer's decision to stay for one more year in Utah, may shake free and be another alternative for the Pistons. As for the notion that the Grizzlies and Thunder could blow the Knicks away with the offer, consider two things: 1. do you really expect these teams to throw $10M per at David Lee? 2. do you really expect Lee to leave the New York market for Memphis or Oklahoma City? One thing is agent, Mark Bartelstein, said to me was that David "wants to be part of a winning situation." Expect the Knicks to not give up so easily on him. Teams can make offers starting at midnight, but offer sheets can not be signed until July 8. The Knicks would then have seven days to match. Of the teams with cap space to sign Lee, you can see the Trail Blazers preferring a sign-and-trade scenario to protect their cap situation for next summer, when Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge will be restricted free agents. If the Blazers offer-sheet Lee at a high number, you know the Knicks, with tons of cap space, could always return the favor in 2010. * * * Another thing you can expect is for the Knicks to keep in touch with the Rockets about the Tracy McGrady situation, especially if the reports about Yao Ming are accurate to the point that his ankle injury could cause him to miss extended time. Would Rockets GM Daryl Morey consider Eddy Curry in a deal for McGrady? I'm told that would be a conversation starter. Perhaps Curry ($10.5M) and Cuttino Mobely ($9M, 80 percent insured) would be worthwhile for the Rockets. For the Knicks, this scenario for McGrady ($23M expiring) would be a win-win mainly because you can move Curry's money off the 2010 ledger (and maybe result in Lee's contract having less of an impact) and though you'd likely have to wait a month into the season for him (shoulder and knee), he could show up determined to earn another big contract.