The New Jersey Nets are working to find a way to trade point guard before Thursday's trade deadline, and the Los Angeles Lakers are the front-runners to acquire him, according to a report in The New York Times.

The newspaper cited "several" unnamed Eastern Conference officials, who apparently feel that Nets' president Rod Thorn will make a big move before the deadline arrives at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday. Thorn, however, has told other sports news outlets that there is a "five percent chance" that the team will make a trade.

The Times has reported that the Lakers are the best bet to acquire Kidd, but that L.A.'s offer of young players, expiring contracts and a draft pick probably is not enough to complete a deal that would effectively put Kidd and Kobe Bryant in the same uniform.

But three Eastern Conference officials, who spoke with The Times on the condition of anonymity, reportedly said that New Jersey is attempting to involve a third team in a potential trade.