FanNation | charlescurtis2003's Blog | Dallas Mavericks Free Agent Moves

I must say that when free agency started I didn't hold out much hope for the Mavericks, a team over the salary cap and as many as eight roster spots to fill, with only the mid-level exception to do it. But despite that, they made two great moves in signing DeSagana Diop and Gerald Green. Diop is no scorer, but he brings defense and shotblocking to a team desperately in need of both. I would have loved to see us draft Roy Hibbert, but Diop is a nice consolation prize. Green intrigues me even more. He's only 22 and has freakish talent. With a little development, he could become a future cornerstone over the next 3-4 years.

That said, there is still more to do. Antoine Wright must be re-signed, we need a young backup point guard, and we need to strengthen our bench. After Kidd, Stackhouse, Howard, Dirk and Dampier, what is there? JJ Barea is not the PG we need. Jason Terry might be valuable trade bait, as is Kidd, who could be moved (Lakers?) sometime this season. But again, where is the youth? This is why I think now might be the time to move Josh Howard. I could personally care less about the pot smoking. We rely on athletes as role models too much anyway. Howard's trade value will increase, and one of the teams Dallas needs to be calling is Philadelphia. The Sixers are after Josh Smith, but probably won't get him, as Atlanta can match any offer he gets. Philadelphia is one of the few teams with the cap room to take on Howard's contract, and they need a proven star to pair with Andre Iguodala. If they don't land Smith, offer them Howard for Willie Green, Thaddeus Young and either the draft rights to Marreese Speights or a future 1st round pick.

Then, call either Memphis (Kyle Lowry, Mike Conley, Javaris Crittenten) or Indiana (Jamaal Tinsley, Jarrett Jack, T.J. Ford) about one of their young point guards. Or better yet, move on Sebastian Telfair in free agency. Imagine a lineup that looks like this.

Starting 5- Kidd, Willie Green, Jerry Stackhouse, Dirk and Dampier

Second 5- Jason Terry, Antoine Wright, Gerald Green, Brandon Bass, Diop

10-15- Thaddeus Young, Speights, Shan Foster, Nick Fazekas, Barea. All young and developing.

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July 6, 2008 04:11 PM ET

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Good blog.

The trade for the Sixers seems to be asking more than I believe Josh can get us. He flames out in fourth quarters and was horrible in the playoffs. In fact Young who is 20 averaged 10 and 5 in the postseason. While Josh who is 28, gave us 12.5 and 7 in 7.5 more minutes. Then you want them to throw in a first rounder and an average shooting guard. I hope that would happen but don't see it.

Also Carlisle hates Tinsley and Ford and Jack are going no where. Memphis is an option, not sure what it would take though. Telfair, I am not so sure they can pay him, they have nothing but league mininum money left. He scares me as well.

I agree a move MUST be made and hopefully the Mavs brass understands that. Gerald Green is a project with A LOT of work to do to be a contributor an a contender.

Oh, Nick Fazekas is a Clipper.

Nickb23- It's a…

Arlington , TX

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July 6, 2008 10:39 PM ET

Thanks, I stand corrected on Fazekas. Don't recall how he became a Clipper. Anyone know?

Dallas could expand the Philly deal to include other players besides Josh, or they could be content with Young and Green or Young and Rodney Carney. I figured Speights because he's 6'10, 245 and can be develioed as well.

charlescurtis2003

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July 12, 2008 06:12 PM ET

Fazekas was released to make room on the roster after the Kidd trade. It was between him and Juwan Howard, what the hell were the Mavs thinking?

July 16, 2008 11:24 PM ET

Thanks. Howard is still the best option of the two, even if he is older now.
I had seen Yaroslav Korolev on our summer league roster (former Clips 1st rounder) and wondered if he had been traded for Fazekas,

Thanks for clearing it up.