Kidd says he wants to remain with Nets

The Associated Press reports: New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd, runner-up in the MVP voting last season, wants to remain with the team for the rest of his career.

Kidd has the option to and likely will be a free agent after next season but cannot sign a contract until then. But he said Tuesday that the Nets remain his No. 1 choice. After spending the summer in New Jersey, the Californian said he considers himself "an East Coast guy.''

Asked if he would sign immediately if league rules permitted, Kidd said: "No. That's too easy. You've got to make them sweat.''

Kidd spoke at a luncheon announcing that he won the Thurman Munson Award, which is presented by The Association for the Help of Retarded Children and honors the memory of the New York Yankees catcher who died in an airplane crash in 1979.