Sports

DISHIN’ THE DIRK

NEW ORLEANS – I was starting to think Jason Kidd would get back together with Joumana before the Mavericks.

While the NBA ensured everything was on the up-and-up (yeah, right!) regarding Keith Van Horn (salvaged from the league’s well-stocked free-agent mothball fleet) before approving the Nets-Mavs trade, I’m here to tell you the move on Kidd has as much to do with Avery Johnson’s dissatisfaction with Dirk Nowitzki as a leader as with Devin Harris’ point-guard shortcomings.

According to an infallible source, the Mavericks’ coach pressed team owner Mark Cuban to deal Dirk after the NBA’s MVP came up shamefully small against the Warriors in last season’s upsetting first-round elimination, but was overruled.

Johnson’s ideal leader is supposed to offer positive guidance and counsel on and off the court, as well as in and out of church. That disqualifies Kidd. Still, one sphere of influence is better than none. Convinced a championship is otherwise beyond capture, Avery compromised his primary concern.

Kidd, of course, will provide a stronger presence than Harris, meaning A.J. will allow him to be the PG instead of trying to be it himself. Therefore, the players will have more comfort and confidence in the PG.

What the Mavs lose is team chemistry, giving up good locker-room guys for one who’s just as capable of leading young players astray as directing them to the Finals.

They also lose Harris’ capacity to move his feet fast. Ten years younger than Kidd, who’s more effective guarding bigger people these days, Devin bothered Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Chris Paul and Allen Iverson, if not Baron Davis. He beats them to the hole, too, second only to Leandro Barbosa.

Four seasons ago, the Mavs had Steve Nash and Harris at PG. Now they have Kidd and Jose Barea, who isn’t competent enough to be a backup on a title contender, and Jason Terry, whose mentality is shoot-first, think-pass-last.

DeSagana Diop, by all accounts, has not improved offensively in two years. At the same time, the Mavs can’t help but miss his part-time shot blocking and rebounding. Erick Dampier’s worthwhile contribution once every four games obliges Nowitzki to play center 20 to 30 minutes a game.

This is not good, especially should Dampier go down for the count for any length of time.

Meanwhile, the Nets will continue to wheel until Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline. Sources throughout the league say Kiki Vandeweghe is generating a heated rush of discussions involving Jermaine O’Neal, Jamaal Tinsley, Mike Miller and Nene.

Afterthought: I’d have bet Jim McGreevey would’ve resurfaced on a New Jersey payroll before Van Horn.

*

With Kidd apparently spoken for, the player drawing the most attention from promising title contenders is Philly’s Andre Miller. Nuggets, Cavaliers and Rockets are sincere suitors – Celtics feel they’re first in line for Sam Cassell – but not serious enough to offer more than expiring contracts and a first-round pick in the 20s.

That ain’t gonna pry away the 31-year-old miniature version of Chet Walker (can’t jump, uncanny at getting opponents off their feet with little head fakes) from the 76ers. Miller can be had, but the exchange rate is quality.

Contrary to a report, the Nuggets don’t have the slightest interest in obtaining Zach Randolph. Never did. Dis miss the Ron Artest talk to Denver, too, despite Carmelo Anthony publicly campaigning for him. Between the lines he’s attrac tive. Between us, the decision- mak ers feel he’s a bad fit with Allen Iver son, Anthony and J.R. Smith. You can have one wild card, two at most. Four and you’ve got the Pacers of three seasons ago.

As mentioned, Denver is trying to move Nene, whose testicular cancer surgery is bound to keep him sidelined for the duration of the season. If it happens, it’ll free up cap space (four years left at $10.5M average) to acquire Mike Miller. If not, obtaining Tyronn Lue or Anthony Johnson is an option.

Miller’s head and heart haven’t been into it since Pau Gasol left, maybe even before. Who can blame Kyle Lowry for being down? Grizzlies drafted at his position (Mike Conley) and then got a bigger point guard (Javaris Crittenton) than both in the Gasol sale.

I’m guessing Mike Bibby plays more than one game with the Hawks before being traded to the Pistons. Seriously, it was a great deal for the Kings-three expiring contracts, 1½ years to decide what to make of Sheldon Williams and the WNBA rights to his girlfriend Candice Parker.

The Hawks made out even better. It’s a two-pronged statement trade, Cuban told me. “It shows they want to win now [this season and next, after which Bibby’s contract expires] and shows the city they mean business.”

This just in: To secure the services of Kidd, the Mavs have offered to replace Van Horn with a Van Arsdale to be named later.

Ray Allen put his spectacular All-Star shooting spree (28 points in 19 minutes) in perspective: “It’s defines my career along with being traded for Stephon Marbury.”

At first, I thought Charles Barkley Fave 5 spot was a commercial touting his chins. An honest mistake, considering he spent the entire All-Star weekend in the French Fry Quarter.

Nice of Craig Sager to emerge from Kanye West’s closet in time to do TNT’s sideline reporting.

I won’t have my final thoughts about Sunday night’s All-Star Game until Bill Belichick sends me the tape.

peter.vecsey@nypost.com