Donuts: Brainstorming With Damp And Wright

   Our gang engaged in a late-night brain session this week at the saloon across the street from the AAC, “The Boardroom,’’ with. … Erick Dampier and Antoine Wright!

   Damp was telling people he thinks he’s staying in Dallas for awhile. Maybe. But it’s a funny coincidence to me that the two positional starters the Mavs would like to use free agency to replace just happen to be the two guys who were leaning against the bar … Damp and AW.

    Onto the early-morning rumor mill, where NY makes a Kidd Bidd, Artest is a playa, Gortat has a visitor and a surprise, ‘Quis needs some attention, Birdman is on Dallas’ radar and we await the trickle-down effect to trickle-down to Dallas. …

   What does it all mean? There goes Mark Cuban’s budget, that's what it all means.

   *How about Ron Artest as a budget signing for. … Cleveland? LeBron reportedly made a personal plea to Ron-Ron, and while Houston still controls the situation, the notion of LeBron, Ron and Shaq together is. … at the very least. … Must-See TV.

   *Suddenly the Magic shifts gears … and announces that they will plod into Lux-Tax territory to keep Marcin Gortat. I’m sure Rick Carlisle’s visit to Gortat, Florida was fun. And I think Dallas is willing to spend more than Houston is. But if Orlando’s gonna match. …

     Oh, and hey, when do the seasons change into “Nuclear Winter’’ around these parts?

    *Ben Gordon will receive a five-year contract worth around $55 million and Charlie Villanueva gets a five-year deal worth about $35 million. Trickle-down effect: Thanks to Ben, Rip Hamilton goes on the trade market; thanks to Charlie V., Andy Varejao seems more likely to stay in Cleveland.

   *The Knicks are telling the media they are interested in Grant Hill. A mini-bidding war between Phx and NYK for Hill? Exciting!

   *I’m hearing it’s a dry market for Marquis Daniels, whose $7-mil deal didn’t get picked up by Indy. Good. ‘Quis on the cheap to Dallas is a steal.

   * The Denver Post says the Mavs are among five teams that have contacted Chris Andersen, who is nevertheless expected to re-up with the Thuggets.

    *Multiple reports have Rasheed Wallace being heavily-courted by Boston, with Kevin Garnett leading the recruiting charge.

    *Brandon Bass got a call from the Mavs, of course. And he got one from Orlando and from his hometown Hornets. I noted the Magic’s depth as an issue for him a few days ago, and now this problem: He wants to leave Dallas for PT. … but will consider playing in New Orleans behind All-Star David West?

   *Quentin Ross? It’s a big deal to Sefko. They’re both Ponies.

   *At what point do the pickin’s get so slim that Dallas – which does want scoring – actually makes a low-ball phone call to Allen Iverson? I mean, the whole process would have to be so cheap that the Mavs would make it a collect call. …

   *Can we assume the Clippers’ successful dump of Zach Randolph decreases the likelihood of the Mavs and others getting their hands on Kaman/Camby?

    *As we predicted long ago, the Lakers lean toward Lamar Odom over Trevor Ariza. We feel otherwise, we feel the Mavs would a chance at Ariza, and now he’s reportedly upset and ready to bolt LA – even if it’s just for MLE money. The Cavs are in that mix, and reportedly so are the Blazers (of course) and many others. You’ll notice many of the same teams get linked with many of the same guys. And teams only have one MLE. So there will be a trickle-down effect. … We just wish it’d hurry up and trickle-down to the Mavs.

   *Avery, presently slumming at ESPN, is the top coaching candidate in Detroit but wants more money because of the Cuban dough he’d be forfeiting? Hell, I’ll pitch in $100 bucks just to get The Lil’ Johnson off of my TV.