The Houston Chronicle broke the story tonight that the Houston Rockets are trading Bobby Jackson and another player to Sacramento for Ron Artest. MavsUpdate has more on the story.

With everything that we as fans have been hearing and seeing in the media, blogs, and rumor sites it’s hard to get a clear grasp of what the 2008-2009 Mavericks will look like. This is what we know Gerald Green is a Maverick or is he???? Diop is going to be signed with the MLE or is he???

There is speculation that Dallas and New Jersey will try to work out a sign and trade apparently this benefits both teams…why you ask? Well Diop has already made it clear he wants to be in Dallas sign and trade benefits new jersey because they will get something back and it benefits the Mavericks because they wouldn’t have to use the MLE on Diop instead they could use it to sign a free agent….Maggette and Posey seem to be high on the Mavericks wish list…will this happen I will be thoroughly surprised if either of those guys sign with Dallas..Posey will stay put with the Celtics and Maggette is going to sign with the Spurs but that’s just my gut.

Bonzi Wells he could be some one the Mavs could lure with the MLE. And then there is Ron Artest the Kings could just release Artest and the Mavs could try to pick him up with the MLE (which I seriously doubt would happen). But this could definitely happen and man if Dallas and Sacramento would go for it would be real nice for both teams Carlisle says he has a good relationship with Artest and I am pretty sure the Kings are ready to be done with Artest…Cuban and Donnie should really look at this scenario.

Then there is Josh Howard and the pot smoking and him leaving a skunky taste in the Mavs mouths. But trading Howard would almost be doing it just to shake things up…I don’t know how you would structure a deal like this but Lamar Odom for Howard or Mike Miller for Howard… but I’d rather keep Howard. So in my GM fantasy world (where the numbers would actually work) this would be the Mavs team I would put together.

Starting 5
Point Guard- Jason Kidd
Shooting Guard- Ron Artest
Small forward – Josh Howard (if traded, Lamar Odom or Mike Miller)
Power Forward – Dirk Nowitzki
Center- Diop

Bench
Point Guards- Tyron Lue and JJ Barea
Shooting Guards – Gerald Green and Stackhouse
Small Forwards – Devean George and Bonzi Wells
Power Forward – Brandon Bass
Center – Dampier

Developmental Players
Shan Foster, Reyshawn Terry, and Atoine Wright

Coaching Staff
Head Coach – Rick Carlisle
Assistants- Paul Westphal, Dwayne Casey, Terry Scotts and Mario Ellie