Rumor Roundup: Mavs Mustn't 'Just Do Something'

I was on ESPN 103.3 Radio early this week and insisted that impactful Mavs deals were being discussed. Greggo asked me if it’s a “better than zero-percent chance’’ that Dallas would make a trade. I answered in the affirmative and was glad he didn’t force me up to “better than one-percent chance’’ territory.

    Keep reminding yourself that there is no sense in screaming “just do something!’’ There is only sense in finding a deal that provides an upgrade in talent or flexibility for the future. That’s it. And if there isn’t value here, there will be value (hopefully) in the patient preparation for Mark Cuban’s Nuclear Winter. (I know. Patience sux.)

    Having said that. …Let’s examine some better-than-zero-percent possibilities:

    *Vince Carter from the Nets – I believe there are genuine discussions here. The Mavs believe that forfeiting Josh Howard here is too great a price. The Nets, meanwhile, are not negotiating with teams (especially Portland) as if they are salary-dumping. Rod Thorn is trying to negotiate as if he’s a “have’’ instead of a “have-not.’’ The Mavs want a steal, and understandably so.

   (By the way, here’s a glowing review of Vince. It makes me crave him more. … but ONLY in a dump.)

   *Richard Jefferson from the Bucks – If Portland wants to do this while dangling the LaFrentz expiring, nobody – and certainly not Dallas – can compete with that. The Bucks are a seller, with Jefferson and beyond.

  *Gerald Wallace from the Bobcats – Portland’s running that show, too.

   The top-level-guy proposals are links in a chain. The Blazers have the power to do the one they want. The Cavs (with Wally Zoolander’s expiring as the bait) have the power to do something huge, too. (Maybe with Washington?) Then we’ll see if there is time enough for another suitor to deal for the leftover guys.

   Ironically, the money Dallas once gave Raef LaFrentz is now the money that controls Deadline Day.

  *Baron Davis from the Clippers – This is a perfect example of one of those “just do something!’’ opportunities. If you want Dallas to “just do something!’’ Baron is for you. It’s exciting. … it’ll make headlines. … But if LAC is holding out for Kidd’s expiring, it’s simply not advantageous for Dallas to absorb Davis’ five-year, $65-mil contract.

  *A New Orleans salary dump – Tyson Chandler has hobbled from NO to OKC and back. But nothing has changed in terms of the Hornets’ wallet. They want to be rescued. Chandler has a bad toe? Whatever. I’d love to acquire his other nine, but again, Dallas doesn’t have the ammunition. So, NO dangles Peja?

   *Kirk Hinrich from the Bulls – He’s available. But here’s another Lesson In Trading: It doesn’t seem to be a match in any way. He’s not a great fit for Dallas. He’s not cheap. And if Chicago wants expiring and picks, Dallas doesn’t have ‘em to give. Availability simply isn’t enough.

   *Larry Hughes from the Bulls – Do anything for you? Me neither.

   *Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman from the Clippers – Not much buzz there. But worth charting.

   *Shaq from the Suns – It was always a long shot. But it was a logical long shot. And hell, it still is. Loooong. Like, it's-not-going-to-happen long. What that's? Better-than-zero-percent ... but maybe no better than that.

944am feb 19 2009