ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks are “actively pursuing two-for-one trades in hopes of easing the roster logjam before training camp starts Sept. 28, with center Nathan Jawai and swingman Shawne Williams among those being made available.”

Williams is a third year veteran with a career 30.6% three-point shooting. Jawai is coming off his first year in the league with an average of only 3.2 minutes per game.

Since the Mavs just re-signed James Singleton, it’s important to maximize remaining bench players at each position. It’s a little late in the offseason to be making this effort, but we wish Cuban and Donnie great success.

It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, the Mavs can get with these 2-for-1 specials.

Don’t let the 2nd Round playoff appearance fool you. The Mavs need to be rebuilt. It’s a faulty system. Every single player is expendable on this Mavericks team. No one is untradeable. Dirk was untradeable in years past, but that has changed. He’s begun the downhill slope of his career, and his trade value won’t ever be this high again. You have to move Dirk while you can still get a premium player or draft pick for him.

As I’ve mentioned before, Dallas has an opportunity to build a balanced team for the first time in a decade if they will bite the bullet and trade Dirk. Make no mistake, Dirk is a liability. Dirk and Kidd together are a massive liability.

They’re all expendable players, Mark. Let’s do it right this offseason. Let’s acquire solid players who excel at both ends of the court. Let’s git ‘er dun.

The Dallas Mavericks organization has more to consider this offseason than usual. The moment the Clippers won rights to the #1 draft pick in last week’s NBA lottery, every team had to make adjustments to its offseason approach. Los Angeles has several big contracts it would like to jettison. They’re likely to trade two of these four big names: Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby, and Zach Randolph.

Here’s a quick look at each player’s 2008-2009 salary:

Baron Davis – $11,250,000
Chris Kaman – $9,500,000
Marcus Camby – $10,000,000
Zach Randolph – $14,666,667

That’s a ton of money for four players, especially considering that two of them play the same position. Throw #1 draft pick Blake Griffin, and you have two many big men.

This is where it gets interesting for Dallas. The Star-Telegram is reporting that Dallas might have a shot at a deal to get Baron Davis and Chris Kaman. Looking at what they spent on Jason Kidd last year, the point guard/center duo come in at almost exactly the same dollar amount as Kidd alone.

A lot of people have big questions about Baron Davis. I think he’s one of the most talented lazy players in the NBA. When he puts in the effort, Davis is scary good. Sure, his shooting has been streaky, but he’s quick, he’s confident, and he’s got that swagger Dallas doesn’t have.

Perhaps the better question is whether Davis can fit into the mentality of the Mavericks team. I say anything is possible, but I’d understand if the scouts and management don’t see it as a fit.

Not to automatically throw Kidd out with the bathwater. As I mentioned in a previous post about Jason Kidd, we probably owe the guy an apology. Kidd was clutch in several games this year. His three point shooting was significantly better than anyone expected. There are still days, though, when Kidd isn’t much of a scoring threat, and that can’t happen if the Mavs are going to compete for a championship in 2010. Add to the problem that Kidd can’t cover point guards on defense and you have enough reason to let him go this offseason if another guard like Baron Davis is available.

Kaman would be a nice addition to the team, especially if it means benching or, better yet, trading Erick Dampier. Trading Damp is probably a pipe dream. Who would want this big lug? But if they do, scrap ‘im quick! Kaman is almost the exact same height and weight as Damp, except Kaman is seven years younger and averaged six more points and one more rebound per game last year. He’s no Dwight Howard, of course, but he’d make a significant improvement to Dallas’ inside presence.

We’ve also heard that the Mavs have taken a look at the #1 French point guard prospect Rodrigue Beaubois and several others in the same position. With Dallas’ late first round pick, it’s hard to imagine them getting starting point guard quality. So at best, Dallas may pick up a backup point guard and try to move JJ Barea. We love Barea around here, but we all wish he could magically grow at least 4 inches to help his game reach the next level.

As always, we’ll wait and watch with much anticipation… hoping the Mavs don’t disappoint us in yet another lackluster offseason.

Mentioned by ESPN.com as an available point guard before the trade deadline, Baron Davis would make an immediate impact on a Mavericks team desperate for a third scoring threat.

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry are carrying the team in points, with Jason Kidd contributing a decent number some of the time. But the Kidd trade was a flop if for no other reason than it gave away more draft picks for a an aging star. And while everyone in Dalls is clamoring for a star two guard, Baron Davis is someone who would make the two guard irrelevant.

What would stop the Mavs from seriously pursuing Baron Davis? Injuries, for one. $53 million for two. Four year contract for three. Diva attitude for four.

What about the bright side? Clutch shooting. Unstoppable to the basket. Excellent three point range. Confidence. Swagger. Bursts of speed. All traits the Mavericks desperately need.

The Clippers could use a shorter contract in Jason Kidd to free up some salary cap after next year. The Mavs need a solution and very few superstars are available who could bring the instant thrust this team needs.

Granted, letting Steve Nash go was the biggest mistake made by this franchise since picking Detlef Schrempf over Karl Malone. Trading away Devin Harris was a lesser mistake, though one most of us wish the Mavericks could undo.

Nash led by example on the court, but was too softspoken. Devin lacked the air of confidence and competence needed to lead a team. He was always looking to be led by the coach. Jason Kidd simply doesn’t have the shooting skills or the speed to keep up in this league in the postseason.

Like it or not, Baron Davis is a viable option. He might be the Terrell Owens of basketball, but a move involving Kidd for Davis should definitely be considered. Someone with confidence and some personal pride needs motivate these players. Dirk Nowitzki is NOT going to lead this team.

If the rumors of a complete overhaul aren’t grossly exaggerated, MavsUpdate will be needing a new banner image yet again. The Mavs are sure to make some roster changes in addition to the head coach. One Bucks blogger is calling for a Josh Howard / Jerry Stackhouse trade for Michael Redd. That’s an interesting thought. Assuming Redd is as good as they say he is, he and Dirk could make an interesting combo. But Redd is not a name we’d necessarily get excited about here in Texas.

Certain names are more glamorous. Kobe. Nash. KG. Shaq. Gasol. Duncan. Bosch. LeBron. These are the types of names that draw a crowd. There ARE others, of course. But none, sadly, are likely to don a Mavericks jersey any time soon.

Will we see another superstar in Dallas? Will Dirk even be here when the dust settles? It’s too early to say. Though I would think that at least a couple Mavs are safe from being dealt. Let’s be real: a team needs a core group in order to retain fan base and loyalty. Not to mention the difficult or sheer impossibility of exchanging a whole team.

In case you’re new here, this is Dallas, and the expectations are high. It’s championship or bust. Nothing short of a trip to the NBA Finals could satisfy Dallas fans and Mark Cuban at this point.

So who is safe? If it were based on performance, I’d say Dirk Nowitzki, Brandon Bass, Tyronn Lue, and Jason Terry are your core. Terry has underperformed in playoffs past, but he’s the one Maverick who intentionally ignites the crowd. He treats the AAC as though it’s always been his home. No other player is as emotionally invested in the Dallas fans as Jason Terry. For that reason alone, he stays. Dirk is the face of the franchise, and still just one superstar and a center shy of a championship run. Tyronn Lue has been the best midseason addition to this team.

Players on the way out? Look for Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, and JJ Barea to have seen their last days in Mavs uniforms. Jason Kidd? Hard to say. He’s the biggest disappointment (because no one apparently watched him play when he played for New Jersey), but also the man with the best excuse. “Coach didn’t let me play my style.” Whatever. Kidd is a nice guy. But he’s no Steve Nash.

So we wait with bated breath to hear of offseason trades and acquisitions while the rest of the country watches Round 2 of the NBA playoffs. All I have left to say is: go Lakers.