I love the art of masking sources. It happens more than you think in (sports) media, usually so a given subject can make public a piece of news that they desperately want to make public, but one that they can’t make public quite yet (or ever). So, they give the news, then say, “You can acknowledge that I did this, but I wouldn’t comment on this.” 

Anyway, is there any chance that former Sixers GM isn’t the Inquirer’s source on this – kind of random, for a Philly paper – report that Jason Kidd will become the Nets’ next coach:

Former NBA star Jason Kidd is in line to become coach of the Brooklyn Nets for the next three years, a source familiar with the negotiations tells The Inquirer.

Final details of the contract are being worked out, but an announcement is expected this week, the source said.

Kidd met with Nets general manager Billy King on Monday to make a pitch for the coaching job.

One more question: Is Billy King the only GM in sports who would make a retiring player head coach of a team in a major market? That’s crazy. And risky. I mean, even the Flyers start their alumni in bogus PR jobs before putting them in front office positions.

Others have pointed out that the owner of the Inquirer used to own the Nets. So… you know.