Sports

Knicks’ Kidd retires; took Nets to Finals twice

THUMBS UP ON THIS CAREER: Jason Kidd calls it quits after a 19-year NBA career. (Getty Images)

Jason Kidd heard the basketball gods screaming loud and clear. Following a 10-game playoff scoreless streak and two second-half benchings by Knicks coach Mike Woodson to end the season, it was time to hang it up.

Four days after wondering if he could “do the grind all over again,” Kidd announced his retirement yesterday, ending a 19-year NBA career that will land the point guard in the Hall of Fame.

“He told me recently he wanted to leave the game when he still enjoyed it,” a Kidd confidant told The Post. “It was the hardest year he’s had mentally and physically, especially the second half of the season. You can tell he was tired. No specific injury. Just harder to keep his body in shape.’’

Kidd, who turned 40 in March, finished out his career by going 0-for-19 in the 10 straight goose eggs, including the entirety of the Knicks’ second-round series loss to the Pacers.

“Everyone can use the word Father Time — it’s undefeated,” Kidd said yesterday on ESPN Radio. “I think it’s the right time for me to move on to the next chapter.”

He joked: “Everyone will talk about the month I had, but I didn’t come in the league as a scorer. I guess I’ll leave that way, too.”

JASON KIDD THROUGH THE YEARS

On Thursday, at a charity event, Kidd revealed he was uncertain about his future, saying coaching and broadcasting were avenues he might pursue. A source said television networks already have contacted his agent, Jeff Schwartz.

Kidd could wind up on the Knicks’ coaching staff next season, though nothing has been discussed yet. It’s unclear if the Nets — the team Kidd led to two straight Finals during his heyday in New Jersey — will interview him for their head-coaching vacancy.

“We’ll take a step back here and see if there’s any opportunities,’’ Kidd said.

In a statement released by the Knicks, Kidd said, “My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years. As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”

Kidd will forgo the final two years and $6.2 million left on his Knicks pact. It’s a straight break, allowing the Knicks salary-cap savings for 2013-14, which merely reduces owner James Dolan’s luxury-tax bill.

It leaves the Knicks thin at point guard after using their precious $3.1 million mid-level exception on Kidd last July. The Knicks may be unable to re-sign free agent Pablo Prigioni, and they are pursuing point guards with the 24th pick in the draft.

Woodson praised Kidd in a statement: “Veteran leadership on and off the court was a huge factor for our team that recorded 54 victories and an Atlantic Division crown. Jason provided an incredible voice inside our locker room and I considered it an honor to say I coached him.’’

Woodson made a tough call in benching Kidd in the second half of the final two playoff games as the veteran looked hesitant on both ends.

“Everybody will probably speculate the last month I had wasn’t the prettiest,” Kidd said. “The biggest thing is I played the game to win, no matter what my stats said. The biggest stat for me was the win column.”

Two weeks ago, Knicks GM Glen Grunwald said he expected Kidd to return and a source said he was genuinely surprised when Kidd informed him over the weekend.

Last Thursday, Kidd said leaving money on the table was not an issue in determining whether to play on.

“There’s a lot different stuff I may have the opportunity to do,” Kidd said Thursday. “I got to be honest with myself. I got to see if I could still mentally do the grind all over again.’’

Kidd finishes with the second-most assists (12,091) and steals (2,684) in NBA history. He ranks third all-time in 3-point fields goals (1,988) and, amazingly, 50th in career rebounds (8,725).

Kidd said taking the Nets to two Finals were a “highlight,” but his two best memories were winning a title with the Mavericks in 2011 and two Olympic gold medals. He shared Rookie of the Year honors for the 1994-95 season in his first stint with Dallas after being the No. 2 pick in the draft out of Cal.