KIDD TRADED TO PHOENIX : MAVS GET GREEN, FINLEY, CASSELL.

Byline: Richie Whitt Fort Worth Star-Telegram 

The Dallas Mavericks traded away their ``franchise player'' Thursday, dealing All-Star point guard Jason Kidd to the Phoenix Suns in a stunning six-player swap.

Kidd is headed to the Suns along with backups Loren Meyer and Tony Dumas in exchange for Sam Cassell, Michael Finley, A.C. Green and a second-round draft choice in 1997 or 1998.

``This organization has made some trades in the past that backfired in its face,'' said Kidd, alluding to decisions that allowed Dale Ellis, Detlef Schrempf, Mark Aguirre and Sam Perkins to flourish with other teams. ``This just may turn out to be another.''

Kidd, the team's first-round draft choice and the second overall pick in the 1994 draft, created excitement at Reunion Arena with his passing imagination and relentless energy. He also gave credibility to a faltering franchise with his international marketing power, by becoming the NBA's co-Rookie of the Year in 1994-95 and by being the first Mavericks player to start an All-Star Game last season.

``We understand the magnitude of this decision and what we've done,'' Mavericks interim general manager Frank Zaccanelli said. ``There's always a risk any time you make a trade. We think the rewards outweigh the risks. We feel we're more than one player away, and this gives us three solid players for one.''

Kidd, 23, led the league in triple-doubles last season but this season struggled to mesh with new coach Jim Cleamons' more conservative, defensive style. Unable to free-lance and ad-lib as much as he did under former coach Dick Motta, Kidd suffered decreases in minutes played, shots attempted, points, assists and rebounds this season.

``I've got mixed emotions,'' said Kidd, who issued a trade ultimatum in the summer and recently encouraged his agent, Aaron Goodwin, to air his displeasure. ``I'm sad leaving Dallas because I thought we had a great opportunity here. But I'm also looking forward to getting a fresh start in a more wide-open system.''

Suns coach Danny Ainge, who favors more of a running system, expects Kidd to regain the ``passion'' on the court he showed in his first two seasons in Dallas.

``Jason has an inner passion that few players possess,'' Ainge said. ``I've watched him a couple of times this season and asked myself, `Where has that passion gone?'

``This is a great trade for the future of this franchise. This gives us a lot of hope and excitement for the future.''

The trade came a day after the Suns were routed by the Lakers on national television.

Zaccanelli said the deal - initiated by Cleamons, negotiated by him and approved by majority owner Ross Perot Jr. - was prompted by Cleamons and not by Kidd's state of unhappiness.

``Obviously it's a huge decision,'' Perot said, ``and one we didn't reach quickly. But when Jim and Frank talked to me, I was convinced it was absolutely the right thing to do. I think we're taking a major, major step in the right direction.''

With both teams over the NBA's $24 million salary cap, the combined salaries of the three-player groups had to be within 15 percent of each other. That meant that the Mavericks threw in the seldom-used Meyer ($667,000) and Dumas ($1.12 million) along with Kidd and his $4.408 million to equal Finley ($720,000), Cassell ($1.4 million) and Green ($4.3 million).

``I've had a lot of good times here, but unfortunately it's the end,'' Kidd said. ``Things weren't going perfectly smooth, no, but I never asked to be traded. I guess I better welcome it, because it's a fact.''

Cassell, 27, is the immediate replacement for Kidd. Cassell, traded to Phoenix from the Houston Rockets as part of the Charles Barkley blockbuster trade last summer, was leading the Suns with 14.8 points and 4.5 assists per game. The obvious gamble on the Mavericks' part is that Cassell will be a free agent after the season, though Dallas will be able to offer him more money than any other team.

Both Green and Finley are signed through next season.

``It's definitely a possibility that Sam could opt to leave,'' Zaccanelli said. ``But obviously we're confident we can sign him, or we wouldn't have been so enthusiastic to make this deal.''

Finley, 23, was an all-Rookie guard-forward last season and is averaging 13 points per game this season. However, he joins a logjam at the shooting guard-small forward position, already overflowing with Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn.

Citing that depth, the team's 9-17 record and plunging fan interest, director of player development Mark Aguirre hinted that another trade could be in the works.

``Yes, we are pretty crowded,'' he said. ``It's time for us to do some creative thinking there.''

Green, 33, is a 12-year veteran power forward known for his rugged rebounding and durability. He has played in 840 consecutive games and won NBA Championship rings with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988. In Dallas, he will likely be a backup counted on for rebounding, defense and locker-room leadership.

DEALING DALLAS

What Dallas got

Sam Cassell, guard

(14.8 ppg, 2.3 reb, 4.5 ast)

Michael Finley, guard

(13.0 ppg, 4.4 reb, 2.5 ast)

A.C. Green, forward

(5.7 ppg, 5.1 reb, 0.6 ast)

A second-round draft choice

What Phoenix got

Jason Kidd, guard

(9.9 ppg, 4.1 reb, 9.1 ast)

Tony Dumas, guard

(4.0 ppg, 0.8 reb, 1.2 ast)

Loren Meyer, center

(4.1 ppg, 2.6 reb, 0.4 ast)

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--color) KIDD

(2--color) CASSELL

Box: DEALING DALLAS (see text)