Mavs MoneyLinks: Dirk's Return, Trade Rumors and The New Guy

A gathering of news and opinions regarding our beloved Dallas Mavericks.

Will Dirk Nowitzki play or won't he?
The short answer is only Dirk Nowitzki knows. He didn't talk after Tuesday's practice in which he was a limited participant, still unable to take part in team drills. He headed in for treatment early as the club prepares to leave town this afternoon bound for Indiana, where the Mavs open a four-game road trip Wednesday night.

Sources: Carmelo Anthony trade discussions drag on
The New Jersey Nets' months-long pursuit of Carmelo Anthony dragged on for another day Monday and might not reach its widely anticipated resolution this week after the Denver Nuggets again applied the brakes to serious trade talks.

Inside Report: Practice Report — Pavlovic lands in Big D
Monday morning, the Mavericks announced the signing of free-agent forward Sasha Pavlovic to a 10-day contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The seven-year vet is expected to fill the void left after the team waived forward Steve Novak last week. Pavlovic, a 6-foot-7, 235-pounder, could also take away some of the sting caused by Caron Butler’s likely season-ending knee surgery.

Mavs weathering storm of injuries as best they can
The Mavericks are experiencing life without Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler right now and, as one would expect being down two former All-Stars, it isn't much fun. Dallas is mired in downturn that hasn't seen them lose much ground in the standings, but has put a screeching halt to the momentum built up through the first two months of the season.

Sherrington: All-in deal for won't solve everything for Mavericks
Always putting on a happy face for the crowd, Jason Terry gave it everything he had after Monday's practice. What do you do without Dirk Nowitzki? "Grind it out," he said. "Win as many as you can. Stay upbeat. Stay positive. "Today was a day we got better, I thought." Terry was holding his own with the media, too, until he talked too long, a dangerous habit for anyone, and compared the Mavs' predicament with the Cowboys'.

Mavericks' DeShawn Stevenson: I don't want to mess up my rhythm in All-Star 3-point contest
DeShawn Stevenson hit three 3-point shots in the first quarter Saturday night before missing, adding to his reputation as one of the best in the league at nailing the long ball. So will he listen if the NBA comes calling to ask him to participate in the 3-point shootout at All-Star Weekend?

Jason Kidd: TOs stem from good plays gone bad
Mavericks Rick Carlisle continues to harp on the 32 turnovers his team coughed up in its last two losses to Oklahoma City and Orlando. "We’ve had binges of turnovers the last couple of games that have really hurt us," Carlisle said, "and have put us in a bind defensively as well."