The Mavericks finally pushed the ball over the goal line, scoring big with the trade for Shawn Marion from Toronto.
An NBA source said Wednesday that the deal for the 6-7 will happen and that a trade call with the NBA office had been set up for today. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the deal will go through today.
Details weren't completely known. But it's a sure thing that Jerry Stackhouse is the principle piece moving from the Mavericks to Toronto. But it is likely he will move on from there.
It matters not for Stackhouse, because he will be an unrestricted free agent when he is bought out by the team that eventually ends up with him. That team, which is believed to be either Memphis or Oklahoma City, will absorb a $2 million salary, the guaranteed portion of his 2009-2010 contract.
Other players could be involved in the deal, although none of the Mavericks' key personnel will be involved.
The Mavericks had been close to completing a deal for Marion for two days, but had to find a third team to help facilitate the deal by taking on Stackhouse's salary.
The Raptors had to dump some salary to help clear room to sign their primary free-agent target, Hedo Turkoglu.
The Mavericks now have a potential starting lineup of Marcin Gortat, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Josh Howard and Jason Kidd, with reigning sixth man of the year Jason Terry coming off the bench.
--Eddie Sefko
Comments