Full-Court Press

Mavs have three-team deal on the table

DALLAS -- On the table right now, according to sources, is a three-team deal involving the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz.

In the deal, the Mavs would send forward Lamar Odom to the Clippers, the Clips would ship point guard Mo Williams to the Jazz, and the Mavs would receive a trade exception for $8.5 million from the Jazz.

The Mavs desperately want to trade Odom, who had the poorest season of his 13-year career this past year while playing for Dallas.

-- Dwain Price

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Terry's future with the Mavs relies on a quick decision by Williams

DALLAS -- In a perfect world according to the Dallas Mavericks, Deron Williams will tell everyone of his free agency plans when the NBA's free agent period starts Sunday.

The Mavs' ability to hang onto free agent guard Jason Terry may hang in the balance.

Like Williams, Terry becomes a free agent on Sunday. And while the Mavs are chasing Williams, several other teams will be chasing Terry, who may not be willing to turn down major dollars while Williams takes five or six days to make up his mind about his future.

In other words, Terry may have a difficult time watching the free agent dollars dry up. Especiually since Williams is going to get around $75 million, regardless of which teams he winds up with.

Asked what happens to Terry if Williams waits a long time to give the Mavs an answer on his future, Mavs general manager Donnie Nelson said his "hands are tied.''

-- Dwain Price

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Is Steve Nash Plan B for the Mavs?

DALLAS -- If the Dallas Mavericks can't get Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams via free agency or a sign-and-trade, is Steve Nash Plan B?

General manager Donnie Nelson's body language acted like he wanted to answer that question, but he knows he'll hear from the NBA -- in terms of a $1 million fine. In fact, Nelson said:

"Believe me I would love to (tell you about Nash). But I can’t touch any of that.

"There’s a million reasons why I can’t touch that.''

After playing the 1996-'98 seasons with Phoenix, Nash played for the Mavs from 1998-2004 before he returned to the Suns. And even at age 38, Nash is still a productive player after averaging 12.5 points and 10.7 assists this past season.

Nash also remains very popular in Dallas judging by the big ovations he always receives when the Suns play at American Airlines Center.

While playing for the Mavs, Nash was an All-Star in 2003 and '04. He also was a six-time All-Star with Phoenix and was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2005 and '06 while he played for the Suns.

-- Dwain Price

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Nelson thanks the Rangers for an assist

DALLAS -- Because they would be fined maybe $1 million by the NBA for tamperirng, the Dallas Mavericks didn't send soon-to-be free agent Deron Williams any happy birthday wishes when the Brookyln Nets point guard turned 28 this past Tuesday.

But that didn't stop the professional sports team to the West of Dallas from lending a friendly hand.

During Tuesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers, a sign went up on the scoreboard wishing Williams happy birthday. It was followed by the captain that read: "Be A Maverick!"

The good gesture didn't go unnoticed by the Mavs' organization.

Mavs general manager Donnie Nelson said: "For our friends up the street, the Rangers, that was a very nice touch and much appreciated.''

For their part, the Nets sent a flatbed truck and parked it outside of Williams' New York apartment Tuesday. On the back of the truck read: "Happy Birthday Deron! from your Brooklyn family.''

Nets coach Avery Johnson attended a small private birthday party for Williams on Tuesday in New York. Nelson, though, said he never got an invitation to that exclusive party.

Nelson also said: "Because it would have cost me $1 million.''

Williams is this summer's hottest free agent, with the Mavs and Nets the two front-runners vying for his services.

-- Dwain Price

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Mavs' Smith on the USA Basketball medical staff

DALLAS -- Casey Smith has been announced as part of the medical staff for this summer's USA Basketball Men's National Team.

Smith has been part of the NBA for 11 years and has spent the last eight years as the head athletic trainer for the Dallas Mavericks,

Joining Smith on the medical staff include Portland Trail Blazer team physician Don Roberts, San Antonio Spurs team physician Paul Saenz and Oklahoma City Thunder head athletic trainer Joseph Sharpe.

The aforementioned quartet will be responsible for the medical needs during the USA National Team's training camp and the exhibition games which will take place in Las Vegas,
Nev. (July 5-12), Washington, D.C. (July 13-16), Manchester, England (July
17-19) and Barcelona, Spain (July 20-25).

Smith was an athletic trainer for the USA team that won the Olympic gold medal in 2008. He also was an athletic trainer for the gold-medal winning 2010 USA World Championship squad.

-- Dwain Price

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Buckle up for wild D-Will, D-Howard rumors

DALLAS -- You might as well take a seat, buckle up and get ready for a wild ride that will occur during the next few days/weeks concerning where Deron Williams and Dwight Howard will take their basketball talents.

First, let's start with Williams, who is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets this weekend and become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday. The one-two horse race for Williams' services are the Dallas Mavericks and Nets.

OK, make that a three-horse race, since the Houston Rockets are trying to move everything not batten down to make room for both Williams and Howard.

Unlike Williams, Howard is property of the Orlando Magic -- at least for another year. So, he can't just go and sign with whoever he wants to sign him like Williams can.

This past season Howard kept swaying back-n-forth concerning his basketball future. At one time he wanted to opt out of his contract and join Williams this summer on the unrestricted free agent market.

But Howard surprisingly decided to opt-in and play the 2012'-13 season with the Magic.

However, if the Magic doesn't feel Howard is all-in and want to play for them past the upcoming season, they may cut their losses and trade Howard. Thus, teams are clearing salary cap space and trying to obtain expiring contracts to try and entice the Magic that they have the best package to give them for Howard.

But let's be clear about one thing. It's not etched in stone that wherever Williams goes Howard is sure to follow. This is not a situation where LeBron James and Chris Bosh are getting together to join Dwyane Wade in Miami. 

Remember, Williams controls where his next basketball home will be. Howard does not.

Since Williams and his representatives are not talking, no one knows for sure where he'll land.

And forget all those silly odds you read/hear about where Williams will sign. Only two percentage are in play that really matter: Williams will 100 percent sign with one team, and he zero percent won't sign with anyone else.

This will not be an easy decision for Williams, who turn 28 Tuesday. If the talented point guard re-signs with the Nets, he'll receive a five-year contract in the $100 million neighborhood.

If Williams signs with the Mavs or elsewhere, he can only receive a maximum four-year contract for around $75 million.

While the Nets can offer Williams more money, the lure of playing in New York, and the opportunity to make some more mega-bucks through dizzying endorsement deals, he must remember that as far as the NBA goes, the Knicks own New York. Always have, always will.

The Nets in New York will be akin to the Clippers fighting for top billing in Los Angeles with the Lakers. It's just not going to happen.

It's unclear whether Williams doesn't mind being second bananna in New York behind the Knicks. Because that will be his fate if he re-signs with the Nets.

If Williams decides to sign with the Mavs, he will be able to come home and play near where he grew up in The Colony -- a Dallas surburb located about 35 minutes from American Airlines Center. Many of Williams' life-long friends will be able to see him play in person many times, as will his family members.

In the Mavs, Williams can join a team that includes superstar Dirk Nowitzki. With the Nets -- for now -- Williams is the team's lone superstar.

The Mavs also just won the NBA title a year ago, and still have a few pieces left from that championship team.

Plus, there are no state taxes in Texas, which could save Williams a few coins. Also, Williams can become a free agent -- again -- sooner if he signs with the Mavs than he can if he signs with the Nets.

As of now, Williams probably hasn't decided where he'll be playing basketball next season. It's a tough choice for him to make at this stage of his career.

So, take a seat, buckle up and get ready for a wild ride. The rumor mill is just getting started.

-- Dwain Price

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Mavs will play a pair of preseason games in Europe

DALLAS -- What's been rumored for a long time has finally come to fruition: The Dallas Mavericks will play a preseason game in Berlin and another one in Barcelona.

The games will take place in October and will be part of the NBA's Europe Live Tour 2012, and will allow Mavs superstar Dirk Nowitzki to return a play in his home country of Germany.

On Oct. 6, the Mavs will meet eight-time German champions Alba Berlin. 

The tour tips off when the Boston Celtics face five-time Turkish champions Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul on Oct. 5.

The overseas trip will force the Mavs and Celtics to open training camp in late September.

-- Dwain Price

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Odom said reality TV show was no distraction

Lamar Odom told Oprah Winfrey that the reality TV show which he has with his wife did not affect his performance with the Dallas Mavericks this past season.

The Mavs acquired Odom from the Los Angeles Lakers last December in hopes that he would be a key figure in their quest to capture back-to-back NBA titles. Odom, however, had one of the worst seasons of his 13-year career and was eventually placed on the inactive list on April 9.

In an up-and-down year with the Mavs this past season, Odom averaged career lows in scoring (6.6 points), rebounding (4.2 rebounds), assists (1.7 assists), minutes played (20.5 per game), field goal shooting (35.2 percent) and free throw accuracy (59.2 percent).

Odom and his wife, Khloe Kardashian, filmed part of their reality TV show, Khloe & Lamar, during this past NBA season. Cameras and workers from the show were frequently in the locker room before and after Mavs' games -- even as Odom's game was in a downward spiral.

But on Oprah's Next Chapter, which aired Sunday night, Odom said the reality TV show wasn't a distraction and had no effect on his poor performance with the Mavs. 

"I think this past year I didn't perform on a level that I wanted to perform as far as being a professional basketball player,'' Odom said. "And so I think I have to reprove myself.''

Odom is slated to make $8.2 million next season, but the Mavs can buy him out of the contract by Friday for $2.4 million.

Khloe Kardashian said of her husband: "This year was a very tough year for his career -- but just in general -- if there were cameras there (in the locker room) or not.''

-- Dwain Price

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Nelson: James was already a great player

DALLAS -- Miami Heat forward LeBron James didn't have to win an NBA title for him to be classified as a bonafide great player.

As least those are the words according to Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson.

"I'm one of those guys that I don't think you're any less or more of a player if you win a championship or not,'' Nelson said Friday. "You're going to tell me (Charles) Barkley, Patrick Ewing and (Reggie) Miller -- and right on down the list -- you're going to tell me those guys are any less of a player because they don't have a piece of hardware?

"Those are some of the all-time great players who ever wore a uniform.''

Although he defended James' greatness, Nelson had to laugh when told that many analysts are comparing the Heat superstar to Michael Jordan.

In commenting on the comparison, Nelson said: "Michael. That’s good company to be mentioned with, that’s for sure.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Kidd hasn't given Durant advice on how to beat the Heat

Dallas Mavericks free agent point guard Jason Kidd hasn't telephoned Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant offering any advice on how to beat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

But Kidd did say: "I've congratulated Durant each time they've clinched and wished them well.''

The Thunder trail the Heat, 2-1, in the best-of-seven series, which resumes Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Miami. The situation for the Thunder is similar to the Mavs, who trailed the Heat, 2-1, in last year's NBA Finals before Dallas recovered and won Games 4 and 5 at home, then clinched the series with a Game 6 victory in Miami.

"I can only look at what we went through in Miami when we got the split (of the first two games) in Miami,'' Kidd said. "And I've always felt that Games 4 and 5 were the biggest of the series, because it's hard to win three games in a row at home, which we didn't do.

"We won (Games) 4 and 5 (in Dallas), and ended up winning (Game) 6 on the road.''

Kidd believes if the Thunder have strong desires to win this series against Miami, they must play Game 4 as if its their Game 7.

"I think Game 4 for Oklahoma City is huge, and then I've always thought the swing games are the biggest,'' Kidd said. "Game 5 is a swing game for both teams because if Miami can win one of the two (games between Games 4 and 5), they can be in the same seat as we were.

"And that was to win Games 6 or 7 (and the series).''

-- Dwain Price

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