Just opted out (I got a text via espn about it, but couldnt find any article.)... this is not any indication what so ever that I would like to bring him here, just wanted to keep everyone updated that the whining beard opted out.

Also Brand opted out

could you have picked more painful pictures?!

here is the direct link, I also posted the link in the fanshots.

Here also is what Eddie Sefko had to say about his first practice today…

In his introduction to the Mavericks, Foster had more than just a cordial greeting. He went through a one-hour shooting drill and pretty much drained everything he threw at the basket. His high release should serve him well when he joins the summer-league squad next week in Las Vegas.

And, by the way, he’s confident, but in a quiet way.

“It went OK,” Foster said of his workout. “I always think of myself as my worst critic. Some people think I shoot great, and I think I didn’t shoot well at all. That’s just the high expectations I have of myself.”

Also, as Tim McMahon points out...

I noticed the other night that all the motivational banners have been removed from the walls in the Mavs’ practice gym. Of course, the Mavs had tuned out those banners and all of Avery Johnson’s other motivational tricks for months anyway.

Udrih to Dallas now?

Udrih to Dallas

The sentiment that Gana Diop will return to Dallas is growing stronger by the day, and it also appears that Kings guard Beno Udrih will be heading for the warmer climes of the Metroplex. The Mavericks would like to have a true point guard behind Jason Kidd and Udrih proved himself more than capable when he took the helm of the Kings last season. Plenty of suitors have inquired about the former Spur, but the word is the Mavericks have the inside track. Does this set up a trade for Jason Terry? It’s possible – maybe even likely. But don’t underestimate the possibility that the Mavs bring back their core group, which includes Jet. Terry played for new Mavs assistant Terry Stotts in Atlanta and the two are very much looking forward to the reunion.

Also included is this about Marbury being bought out, and could be added to the list of Free agents…

The closer we get to tomorrow’s free agency frenzy the more it looks like Stephon Marbury might find himself on the outside looking in. The Knicks are widely rumored to be on the verge of reaching a financial arrangement with Marbury that would free them of the troubled point guard…

Not that the Mavs should really be concerned about him though…

for just JET… but I dont see why the Clippers do it… Even though it was supposedly gonna happen last off season, I dont see that being a possibility this summer.

Now if Maggette is looking for a 4 year, 15-17 million dollar deal, and the Clips arent wanting to take on that much space for a long period of time, given that they are looking to resign Brand this year, I could see them MAYBE looking at doing Stack AND Terry (which would total about 17 million)... but thats a far stretch at that. That scenario IS however, IMO, the best scenario that could be had of any sign and trade deal we do for Maggette, Carter, Artest (though now that he has signed on for his final year in Sacramento, its doubtful that Sacramento deals with Dallas… unless its for Josh.)

Also if there is a way to sign both Diop and Udrih, this would be the best case scenario for the Mavs to have used their MLE… but there are too many teams who need an up and coming player like Udrih and would probably offer him more than what would be left over after signing Diop (assuming he doesnt demand the full MLE.) I say left over from diop, because the C position (possibly starting position) to me is a bigger hole to be filled on this team than the back up point guard is…

But a sign and trade is possible there though… maybe to get artest and Udrich you could sign Udrich to a 3-4 year, 21-28 million dollar-ish deal (which is more than he would get with anyone’s MLE), and send them the Terry/Stack combo. Again, far-fetched, and not sure why Sacramento would EVER do this, but its probably the best the Mavs could do with out losing Howard (which I dont even suggest because I am not quite set on trading howard when his value is low, and Terry’s is the highest it will ever be for the rest of his career IMO)

the 32 year old forward was given a 4 year, 50 million dollar deal with the Wizards.

W. O. W. I never thought he’d get that much money at his age. I didnt follow him much last year, but he must have had quite the contract year for Mr. Grunfeld to open his wallet that much for him.

First off, using the MLE. Of course all sorts of names are being tossed around out there, like Diop and Posey… but Matt Barnes?

Barnes’ agent, Aaron Goodwin, said Monday night that he was eager to initiate contact with the Mavericks.

“I think Matt is a good fit for them, but he’s a good fit for a lot of teams,” Goodwin said. “They are definitely on our list.”

Ummmm… no.
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From that same article, George’s agent seems to suggest that he and Cubes have kissed and made up, and that the presence of Rick-O has George excited to possibly return…

News to the George party… if signed, plan on being trade bait through February.
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Back to the MLE and Rumors… this one is interesting on Ben Gordon, though consider the source… but is seems as though even though he was offered 10 million last season and denied it, this guy seems to suggest that the Bulls wont even match the full MLE should a team offer it too him.
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The Nets owner, the thorn in all of our sides, openly admits that they are rebuilding. Let me go ahead and now suggest my Terry and Stack for VC trade once again to help you along that process there Jay-Z.

Also they are looking to move Stromile Swift.
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Just in case you were wondering, the price of Chalmers? 2 2009 2nd round picks and 2 Million dollars.
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Reports out of Denver are that Yakhouba Diawara is interested in the Mavs. Not sure I know about this yet…
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Cassell is alsoLBJ’s top 5 cities?

It appears, judging from James’ comments Monday, that the Nets might be James’ preferred destination if he opts out of his contract in the summer of 2010 and becomes an unrestricted free agent.

James listed New York as his favorite city Monday (his hometown of Akron, Ohio, came in fifth behind Washington, D.C., Dallas and Los Angeles)

K thats it for now…

thoughts?

Brand for Howard/Stack/Bass.