Big news out of the Mavericks

No, it's not a trade, but there appears to be a decent chance Jerry Stackhouse will be active for Friday's game in Houston.

President Donnie Nelson said during his post-trade-deadline press briefing that Stackhouse would "be back tomorrow, which will be real important for us.''

That doesn't necessarily mean Stackhouse is ready to play. But if he's active, I'm guessing he'll get a few minutes against the Rockets.

He's definitely on the road trip. That much is certain.

Meanwhile, the trade deadline passed without the Mavericks making a deal. But it wasn't for lack of trying. Nelson said they were active with "lots and lots and lots'' of conversations up until the final minutes before the 2 p.m. deadline.

"We like our boys in blue,'' he said after all the talk produced no action. --Eddie Sefko