NBA

Jason Kidd honored to have Nets jersey retired — quickly

Though Jason Kidd played last season with the rival Knicks, he will forever be a Net. And on Thursday night, it becomes official.

Kidd, the Nets’ newest coach and the greatest player in the team’s NBA history, will see his No. 5 raised to the rafters of Barclays Center before the team’s preseason game with the two-time defending champion Heat.

The future Hall of Fame point guard will become the sixth Net to have his number retired, joining Drazen Petrovic, John Williamson, Bill Melchionni, Julius Erving and Buck Williams, who was last Net to have his jersey retired in 1999.

“It’s a great honor,” Kidd said before the Nets’ 82-80 win over the Celtics on Tuesday. “It goes without saying, my coaches and my teammates are going up there too because they were a big part of that.”

Kidd is expected to be honored during a presentation in which past players and officials will speak about the 40-year-old’s impact on the franchise and how he helped turn the ignored and irrelevant New Jersey Nets into a title contender from almost the instant he arrived in 2001.

Kidd may speak to the crowd as well, but however long the ceremony lasts will be too long for the coach.

“We can do it right now. Just let it be quick,” Kidd said before Tuesday’s game. “They can put it up. They don’t need to bring anybody in. … I’m very thankful, but a lot of people are asking why is it not during the regular season? It was my choice. During training camp would be even better, but preseason game, get it done with, over and we move on. It’s not about me. It’s about the Brooklyn Nets. Hopefully, it’ll be quick.”

Arriving from Phoenix in a trade before the 2001-02 season for the much-maligned Stephon Marbury, Kidd spent more than six seasons with the Nets, averaging 14.6 points, 9.1 assists and 7.2 rebounds.

In his first year with the team, Kidd led a 26-game improvement and finished a close second in the MVP voting to Tim Duncan, while leading the Nets to the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance. The second trip would come in his second season.

The franchise, which had failed to reach the playoffs three straight seasons before Kidd came to the Meadowlands, made six consecutive postseasons with the point guard and won four Atlantic Division titles.

Kidd made five All-Star game appearances with the Nets, was named to three All-NBA teams and six NBA All-Defensive teams.

“Man, I think that’s an honor,” said Joe Johnson. “Kidd has done a lot for the franchise, so I think he’s well-deserving. I’m happy for him and I can’t wait to see it.”

Tyshawn Taylor is progressing from the sprained right ankle he suffered in Saturday’s loss to Detroit and left Barclays Center on Tuesday without a walking boot. Taylor said he hoped to participate in Thursday morning’s shootaround. … Deron Williams (ankle), Jason Terry (knee) and Andrei Kirilenko’s (back) status for Thursday’s game is unknown.