Questions and answers as Jason Kidd begins packing his bags:
Why was Kidd recently telling old friends from Cal that he's set on leaving the Nets, if the Spurs meet his salary demands?

The way Kidd was telling it, he's tired of Byron Scott's demanding practices and all the running the Nets do when he'd rather be resting.

Here's our question: What's so bad about that? From this vantage point, that speaks well for Scott, even if he did turn off half his players with his Pat Riley act. Does Kidd think he'll work less if he joins Tim Duncan in San Antonio? When it comes to conducting rigorous practices, Gregg Popovich isn't Don Chaney. Just ask David Robinson, who said during the Finals, "The one thing I will not miss is training camp, two-a-days and practices."

Why is Pat Riley ready to trade his pick (No. 5 overall) in this week's draft?

Because he doesn't think he can get Georgia Tech power forward Chris Bosh, who is not expected to get past Toronto at No. 4. Riley definitely doesn't want T.J. Ford. At a workout in Los Angeles, where the Heat and a few other teams saw the 5-10 Ford, Riley said: "Can this guy be any shorter?" The Texas point certainly didn't grow in stature when he couldn't make shots in his recent workout for the Heat in Miami.

Seattle, Milwaukee and Memphis have called Riley about trading up for the No. 5 pick. At that spot, the Sonics and Bucks want Kirk Hinrich, who has moved ahead of Ford on more than a few teams' boards because he's a better shooter. The Sonics have discussed sending their No. 12 pick to Miami, with Vladimir Radmanovic, for the No. 5.