Mavs Defend Now, Upgrade later?

[Art]

It's a calculated risk, but Mavs owner Mark Cuban has never been shy about such things. Dallas already has about $20 million of room cleared for next summer, and by using the amnesty provision on either Brendan Haywood orShawn Marion and buying out Odom -- who has only $2.4 million guaranteed next season -- Cuban would have enough room to pay both Williams and Howard, thus setting the table to chase more championships.

 

The gamble is predicated on a few moving parts that are out of Cuban's control. First, the Magic have to decide not to trade Howard to the Nets. If Howard goes elsewhere -- to the Lakers, for example -- then Williams could be there for the taking if he's displeased enough with the direction of the Nets to opt out of his contract and take about $25 million less than the soon-to-be Brooklyn franchise could offer him.

 

If Orlando doesn't trade Howard at all, thus daring him to take a similar pay cut to leave, then the Mavs would be in play for both superstars. Some rival executives believe if anyone could sell Howard and Williams to forgo short-term dollars for the opportunity to chase championships together, it's Cuban.

 

But if Orlando follows the conventional path and trades Howard to the Nets before the March 15 trade deadline, Cuban's gamble could blow up in his face. Even knowing that, I would argue that it's worth it. But you could look at it this way too: If Howard and Chandler were both free agents next summer, and the Mavs didn't get Howard, they'd probably pay Chandler. By letting him walk now, they've already made that decision.

 

This is where Odom becomes so important to the Mavs' short- and long-term viability as they navigate their championship defense. If Odom is engaged and motivated, he can be one of the most valuable 6-foot-10 players in basketball. If not -- if he remains frustrated by having his Lakers lifestyle pulled out from under him -- it could be a long year and a failed experiment.

 

One thing Cuban is banking on is Carlisle's track record of bringing out the best in players in his first year coaching them. The Mavs coach couldn't be more different than Phil Jackson in the Zen department, but he's good at getting more out of players than their previous coaches have. Odom perhaps represents the ultimate challenge for Carlisle -- a player who, at 32, is pretty set in his ways and whose production hasn't always measured up to his ability.

 

 

CBS Sports