Attention, Maverick Shoppers: We Clear Up Some Old Rumors ... And Start A Few New Ones

   Is Kidd giving up money and leaving Dallas? Did the Mavs dangle Josh Howard in pursuit of the No. 2 overall pick and Ricky Rubio? Is the Stackhouse Chip going to net the Mavs a real center?

   Wednesday is the start of the NBA’s Free-Agent Shopping Season. … and in preparation, I’ve got some Mavs Personnel Dept. business as we clear up some rumors – and maybe trigger a few more:

 Kidd To The Knicks/Lakers/Cavs? It’s being suggested New York might play “villain’’ in Dallas’ plans to retain the Hall-of-Fame point guard. It’s possible – but only if Kidd wants to go to NY to earn fewer dollars … and win fewer games.

   The Knicks (and others) can only offer him the MLE of about $5 million. In Cleveland, they’re talking about him being a “backup.’’ Others are discussing offers of one-year deals. And the all-powerful Lakers? Their wish is the NBA's command.

    The Mavs can pay him more. And they can play him more. In the event he does leave, we’re looking at a Sign-and-Trade that nets Dallas some value back. But overall, I think this is a less problematic situation than others in the media seem to think.

   Mavs Talked About Rubio At 2? Well, they certainly talked about Rubio. They were obligated to. And they certainly talked about No. 2. Obligated to. Did it ever get serious? No. Did Dallas consider offering a Josh Howard package for Memphis’ pick? I have that only as league gossip, unsubstantiated by anybody reliable at Mavs HQ.

   Is Rubio a name worth re-pursuing now? How over-a-barrel do the Wolves believe they are? And the big question, for the Mavs – and this is why Dallas was never a serious player to get into the top five -- how willing is Dallas management to effectively end The Dirk Era?

   In the opinion of Dallas suits: If the Mavs would’ve given up a J-Ho for a Rubio (or anybody else besides Blake Griffin) it would’ve meant taking three steps back to potentially move forward when that rookie matures – and by that time, The Dirk Era is effectively over.

   Add a prospect and subtract a Josh Howard and the Mavs aren't a playoff team anymore.

   That was the braintrust's reasoning.

   That’s not an indictment of Rubio’s skills. Here’s Mike D’Antoni on Rubio’s ceiling: “The only thing I know is that age 17 he is starting on a gold medal game in the Olympics, and he’s starting against Jason Kidd, he plays against Chris Paul, and they come over and say, ‘Hey, coach, this guy’s for real.’  That’s all I know.  That’s a pretty good thing to know.”

   It’s a fun debate: should the Mavs give up on the present 50-win run to set up The Rubio Era which might come in 2010 or 2012. … or might never come at all?

    By not swapping up, the Mavs’ Triangle of Trust gave its answer.

   Stephen Jackson from the Warriors? Nellie was saying he’d start Capt. Jack at the 2-guard. Along comes Curry, and now the rookie and Ellis can play together. So Jackson becomes available? I don’t see it; he’ll just move back to the 3.

   Brandon Bass to Orlando? This is a chunk of misinformation, at least how it’s being presented in reports now. The Magic cannot sign Bass AND Rasheed Wallace. They have just one MLE. They can’t get two full-MLE money guys with one MLE.

   The Mavs’ MLE? Sefko says Cuban is considering “using their mid-level exception on one player (or) they could split it up on two or three.’’

   Of course, you don’t get a top prize by offering one-third of $5 mil. I say you take a bigger swing and try to make a sales pitch to the likes of …

   Rasheed Wallace for the MLE? There are reports that he’s “narrowed his search’’ to this place and that, and there are reports that he is “demanding X-amount of money or else.’’ Ah, ‘Sheed. Already stirring up trouble! If you believe that Dallas needs to “thug-it-up,’’ this just might be your guy.

   (PS: The 75-Member Staff is gossiping that 'Sheed is in Dallas this weekend. At the Ritz. If true, it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with being 'recruited.' Maybe he just likes being chased by cougars.)

   Trevor Ariza for the MLE? Unlikely, I know. Would you leave the Lakers? But before we start settling on fliers on one-third-split-caliber guys, why not start at the top?

   Antonio McDyess as a trouble-free version of ‘Sheed? I think the teams that try for Wallace and fail will then try for McDyess, who has some of the same skills but is superior in the “plays-well-with-others’’ category.

  Veteran PGs like Raymond Felton or Ramon Sessions to Dallas? The Mavs like them both. But if you are trying to retain Kidd, are trying to show faith in JJB and are trying to develop Roddy Beaubois, I’m not sure how you convince Ramon Sessions (who might be getting squeezed out in Milwaukee) that you have enough love to go around. (

T-Mac in a give-away? He’s a $22 million expiring AND he’s a player who might perform like a contract ‘ho. I don’t have any “hows’’ – except to say that swapping expiring with Houston doesn’t make much sense for the Rockets. But T-Mac is being underplayed nationally as a major story waiting to happen.

   Emeka Okafor leaving Charlotte? Let’s characterize this as something closer to an “educated guess.’’ It’s a subject that’s been discussed before and there are logical fits for both clubs, including the Stack Chip moving home to Carolina. Somebody this week suggested that Dallas’ use of the Stack Chip was “not finite.’’ I disagree; the fit must be there. And the fit is here.

   Tyson Chandler for Ben Wallace? Or? … If the Hornets are willing do so a salary dump for a center who is retiring. … would they be willing to do one for a center who is expiring?

   Kirk Hinrich to somewhere? Hinrich apparently thought he was Portland-bound. I just know he’s part of a crowded Chicago backcourt and he is admired in Dallas.

   Marcus Camby or Chris Kaman or Zach Randolph in a Clippers dump? LAC has in recent days been close to deals (not involving Dallas) for Kaman and Zach. This is a game of Chicken: Which guy goes? How long can they wait? Will Sterling gag once payday arrives? Randolph doesn’t appeal to Dallas. We all know Kaman does. But note this: Camby is signed only through 2010; so he’s a prize on the court and in the 2010 pocketbook.

   Anderson Varejao on the cheap? Just how many assets do the Cavs have to bring him back? Is Cleveland chasing Charlie Villanueva? But regarding Andy. … While something got lost in the Dallas/Portuguese translation two weeks ago, this is worth some revisited straight talk. Oh, and if Charlie says in Mil, then Andy stays in Cle, maybe Denver's Birdman becomes the next chase.

   Bruce Bowen, post-buyout? If he’s not boomeranging back to San Antonio. … and he comes cheap. … would you be able to stomach him … no. I cannot even finish this sentence.

   A Chris Bosh homecoming? Sefko asks, “If Dallas native is leaving in 2010, why not trade him?’’ We’ve already detailed the answer to that question. All things considered, is most beneficial for Bosh to remain in Toronto until next summer.

   Boozer or Marion or Childress? Too pricy.

   Elton Brand or Baron Davis or Corey Maggette? All trade bait. In each case, their next team will have to take on some previous GM’s mistake. I’d be very compelled to do so for Elton Brand. All three have health problems – he’s the only one of the three who doesn’t act as if he’s got a mental-health problem.

  Anthony Parker or Dahntay Jones or Matt Barnes? Three completely different free-agent wings who would all fill Dallas needs. Not everybody in this FA group is going to land big money. The odd-man out might be somebody’s bargain.

   Nellie’s brain on Amare? I don’t think those talks are dead. I just think other teams will take more stabs at it. (Starting with Atlanta.) But here’s a thought: If Don Nelson thinks Amare is a good idea. … should the Mavs mirror his thinking?

    Nellie’s problem in Dallas was his knee-jerking insistence on spending Cuban’s money. Nellie didn’t know/care about the money. But talent evaluation? He did do that part right. So if Nellie is thumbs-up on somebody. …

   A Marquis Daniels homecoming? Assuming the Pacers don't pick up the $7.5-million team option to keep him, Marquis comes free on July 1st. Wouldn’t he be a starter at the 2?

   The Stack Chip? What will it net the Mavs? Used properly, it will net respect for team’s management, that’s what.