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Kidd on Nets: 'Rumors that they wanted to fire me in December had to have some legs'

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In his first trip back to New York since being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, former Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd shed some light on his separation from the Nets.

"Did I want to be traded? I think once (the Nets) OK'd the talk to Milwaukee, that just showed, whatever you want to call it, rumors or no rumors that they wanted to fire me in December had to have some legs," Kidd said Sunday, according to ESPN New York.

Earlier reports claimed that Nets management considered firing Kidd in the midst of Brooklyn's 10-21 start to last season.

Kidd denied seeking additional power beyond his head coaching duties, which was reportedly what caused the rift that led to him jumping from the Nets to Bucks.

"No, I don't need any power," Kidd said. "My (job) is to learn how to be a coach and be the best coach that I can be."

Kidd also mentioned that he believes Paul Pierce when Pierce says that the Nets never made him a contract offer because the team was looking to cut costs and didn't feel they were in a position to be a contender.

"I mean, if they don't offer (Pierce) a contract worth what a first-round pick is, then why did we do the deal (last year for Pierce and Kevin Garnett)?" Kidd said.

The Nets traded three first-round picks to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Pierce and Garnett last summer. Pierce signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Washington Wizards this offseason after one season in Brooklyn.

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