Guys you just need to keep: Dirk (obviously), Kidd (at least until the trade deadline), Howard (can't trade him at the low point of his career, still has a lot to offer), Bass (C'mon, he's cheap, he's a feel good story), Dampier (WOW, is he overpaid, who's taking that back in a trade?)
Guys we need to deal but we probably like too much:
Jason Terry - he's a nice player, can masquerade as the third of your big three when #'s 1 and 2 are overachieving, but stil seems to be a SG in a too-small-body. Over-valued here because he's a good guy, everybody likes him, and it is pretty fun to shout "JET" when he nails a well timed three. We've got to get better at the 2 though - and I don;t think minutes remain for Jet if we do, so I think he absolutely has to be traded.
Jerry Stackhouse - clearly he's declining. He's overpaid - he's run his course here. Avery was too loyal for him - his almost expiring contract needs to become more of an asset to us in a trade than his presence currently is.
Eddie Jones - his picture should be next to the phrase "trade fodder" in Webster's. Serviceable, two-dimensional veteran good guy on the last year of a tradable contract? But we're the most likely team to trade FOR a guy like that, right?
Free agents who will probably end up back in Dallas Blue: BECAUSE, we either bring back most of our own guys or we have to sign folks for the minimum. Who's better than we had and available at the minimum?
JJ Barea - If you are an ESPN PER guy,then, c'mon, how did he not get more burn? He always seemed to bring something. I've gotta hope with Avery out and Carlisle in that we bring him back and GIVE him ALL THE MINUTES behind Kidd and see what he can do with them.
Devean George - hey, had the cahones to shut down the Kidd trade, CUbe's has got to respect that right? Serviceable veteran who can play, what, four positions, and seems to be unwanted elsewhere in the league? Seriously, if he's your tenth man, I don't think you can get a better tenth man in this league, and with the holes on this roster, I think that has to be taken into consideration.
Antoine Wright - seemed statistically relevant in NJ before the trade, just didn't have enough time to earn Avery's trust. An attainable swingman on a team with a need there - I think he needs to come back.
Malik Allen - nice jump shot for a big man, we love jump shooters...do the math.
Huh, was there anyone else:
Ok, Ty Lue showed flashes, but wholly (That can't actually be a word, but should be) slowed JJ's growth. He should have reunited with Shaq, and doubt he''l take the minimum here to sit behind JJ. Juwan Howard - did we cut DJ Mbenga so we could keep Fazekas and sign Howard? Only to cut Fazekas later to sign a janitor? Who's bright idea was that? How many times did we get to see DJ on the Lakers bench on their playoff run? Seems like millions...good for him. And Jamaal, the janitor. Sometimes, when players should seemingly produce and don't, you just accept that for what it is. You don't have to understand it, you just have to accept it.
And YES I think we'll blow the full mid-level on Diop which is OK cause we could blow it on someone who won't at least play their role which leaves with rookies (who we won't play). minimum salary guys (who probably won't choose Dallas if they are worth their salt) or bringing back pretty much the same roster.
We'll see y'all in October!

