Say goodbye to 2010, but it may be worth it

The Mavericks have rolled up enough payroll for the 2010 summer that they no longer will be players in that free-agent bonanza.

The salary cap is going to go down again next summer, possibly down 10 percent to the low 50s. That's the low $50-millionish area.

For that reason, they should hope that the Marion thing works out. And they've given themselves a reasonable chance to be really good for the next year or two or three.

They are a good, veteran team. If things break right, you never know.

For that reason, we hear at Mavs beat writer center have no choice but to endorse this deal. It's got a shot at working out great. And if it doesn't, I'll man-up and say I was wrong in a year or two.

--Eddie Sefko