Audio By Carbonatix
Keep Dallas Observer Free
We’re aiming to raise $10,000 by April 26. Your support ensures Dallas Observer can continue watching out for you and our community. No paywall. Always accessible. Daily online and weekly in print.
So, the Mavs made a big deal yet? Well, GM Donnie Nelson promised a “very active summer,” so let’s hop to it.
Actually, though NBA free agency is just hatching, Dallas may be already making progress. That is, if you consider re-signing Jason Kidd progress. Kidd may not be the Mavs’ most important signing this off-season, but he’s by far their most important re-signing.
If Kidd walks – without compensation – I’m crowing about the disastrous Devin Harris trade, re-writing the Steve Nash nightmare and the Mavs immediately nosedive into rebuilding. Kidd isn’t a consistently elite point guard anymore, but without him they can wipe “championship” off the 2009-10 grease-board goals.
Good news: Dallas’ Only Daily‘s Eddie Sefko says owner Mark Cuban is already at Kidd’s front door in New York, hopefully beating the Knicks to the pitch punch.
More good news: The Mavs have money and bargaining chips to fill their needs.
Drafting Frenchman Rodrigue Beabois did nothing for next year’s team, but with the mid-level exception and the flexible contracts of Jerry Stackhouse and Erick Dampier Dallas should get busy getting better. Plus, Sports Illustrated ranks Dallas as the No. 6 destination for free agents.
How’s this for a summer schedule?
1. Re-sign Jason Kidd and Brandon Bass.
2. Trade Stackhouse/Dampier for something close to Emeka Okafor/Vladimir Radmanovic.
3. Sign Ben Gordon.
4. Don’t sign Rasheed Wallace.
5. Break Yao Ming’s foot.
