Mavs Should Watch As Nellie/Warriors Volcano Seems Ready To Erupt

   On Aug. 29, after conferring with a source very close to Don Nelson, I wrote this piece that detailed Nellie’s desire to jettison Monta Ellis from Golden State, Stephen Jackson’s wish to be shipped out as well, and Nellie’s plan to eventually contact his former employers in Dallas about trade options.

   In the article I predicted that “the two of the facets of the story (involving Ellis and Jackson) are breaking now, and getting ready to collide soon. …’’

   It is two months later. “Soon’’ is here.

   Let’s go to Golden State, where “the volcano is ready to blow.’’ 

   Now, I knew (and know) very little about issues with Randolph, Biedrins, Maggette and Watson. (Though in the cases of Randolph and Biedrins, if I’m the Mavs, I’m quickly familiarizing myself with said issues.)   

      But Ellis? I wrote that Nellie wanted to dump him in exchange for cap room, and I wrote that he would eventually be contacting the Mavs, who of course have cap room to give. I stand by that.

      And Jackson? I wrote that Nellie would stubbornly believe he could repair his relationship with Jackson … and that he was wrong. I also wrote in an ensuing story that after Nellie (or more likely, his GM Larry Riley, who is Mavs-friendly) contacted Dallas about Ellis, he would also bring up the subject of Jackson. I stand by that … because the latter call has already happened, with the Mavs offering a lukewarm response.

      DallasBasketball.com has spent a considerable amount of time playing Amateur GM and breaking down the possibilities; it’s what we do! To wit, here’s a must-read on the subject from David Lord from Aug. 31. It’s a bit dated because some of the puzzle pieces no longer apply, but you will get the essence of the possibilities here.

      None of our stories ever served as predictions that Ellis and/or Jackson will become Mavs. I didn’t say that then and I’m not saying it now. (For the record: Both players have bloated salaries, both players have knuckleheaded traits, and both players in Dallas uniforms would add to logjams at their respective positions.) However. …

      In terms of potential transactions, Uncle Nellie’s Warriors are worth watching. … for any of us who enjoy the nuts and bolts of trade talks.

      In terms of the coming volcano, Uncle Nellie’s Warriors are worth watching, too. … for any of us who can’t resist rubber-necking.