According to some articles on ESPN, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News, Stackhouse claims he has many minutes left in his career and he's not getting enough playing time in Dallas.

Honestly I don't mind seeing Stackhouse go. Maybe you're not getting the minutes and play time when you don't produce anything for the team during such minutes.

Perhaps this is the time to not trade for anyone but for a draft pick, either a late first round pick or early second round pick is all Stackhouse is worth right now.

We have Wright and Green readily available to take his spot, with Green proving he is worthy to play that role and energy off the bench.

Mark Cuban claims the trade for Kidd that dealt Harris to the Nets has been a win-win situation.

I actually have to say no on this one Mark. It's not a win-win trade. Devin Harris is only destined to get better, he's young, he has years and many years left in him. Kidd will be gone and out of the picture soon. Where does that leave the Mavericks? In search of another PG because I'll be surprised if Jose Barea fills that role.

Unless the plan all along is to try and lure Harris back, which I think every Maverick fan would like to see and welcome.

Cuban was quoted saying from the Star-Telegram, "It is what it is. Jason Kidd has been our best player by far. There’s no question about. It’s a win-win. J-Kidd has just been phenomenal, so it’s been a win-win trade."

Read the article here.

The Pacers have traded Shawn Williams to the Mavericks for Eddie Jones, two second round picks and some cash. Honestly, Cuban must have been reading my blog. I'm so happy that Eddie Jones is gone. I give him praise for the work he's done over the years as a player but he absolutely brought nothing to the table for the Mavericks except draining money that could be used elsewhere.

Shawn Williams is basically reunited with Carlisle. He's had a few run-ins with the law but I'm sure he'll play a backup role and contribute more than Jones has since he arrived in Dallas.

Williams averaged 5.6 ppg with 2.3 rpg.

His few run-ins with the law were minor. Passengers were arrested for marijuana possession on two occasions. He's been cited for driving without a license and tint and seat belt violations.

From the article on si.cnn.com, there's a quote from the Pacers President saying this, "I think the Carmel police were kind of like following him around constantly, almost harassing him," Walters said. "So I think it is an opportunity for him to get away from that type of thing as well, because I think he was being unduly singled out a little bit."

I lived in Fishers Indiana myself. It's the next town over from Carmel on the north side. I can say for one thing, Williams wasn't singled out, the Carmel police department is out to get everyone. I was once pulled over for having a headlight out. They searched me, my girlfriend and my car for drugs. I actually called the next day to the police department and asked for an official apology after speaking to an attorney that this type of action on behalf of police to search vehicles/people without probable cause is against the law. I guess they haven't learned their lesson yet and up to the same old tactics.

Carlisle opened the Mavericks camp with running. He's emphasized that the team needs to learn to attack the basket, instead of relying on their set offense that has gone stale the past two seasons.

Also in other news, Eddie Jones can't run. He's already pulled his left hamstring while running on a treadmill before camp started. Tell me why we kept him around? He's just keeping the seats warm, wasting away money for other potential young players to get playing time to prove themselves.

Cuban, release Jones now, he's not much of an asset to the team. I even doubt he's a role model for other players except to slap them five during timeouts and the end of each quarter. He's an paid fan that gets a great seat each game.

This is a little off topic, well not far, it's not about the Mavericks but about Jason Williams. He announced his retirement just after 10 years in the NBA. He was primarily a point guard and was part of the Championship team that defeated Dallas.

So I give Jason Williams props. Only 33 years old. Has a championship ring and probably at least a few million sitting in the bank to live off of, I envy that myself. I wish I could retire in 3 years, have a few million, had a kick ass job playing basketball for 10 years with a championship ring.

What more could anyone ask for really?

So there's some rumors or truth behind it that Mark Cuban stated that the players were the force that drove to fire Avery Johnson. He's stated that most of the players asked that if Avery were coach next season, they would want to be traded. It was mentioned most either spoke of this through generalities or through their agents.

Could this be the truth coming from Cuban? Personally I believe it's probably and highly a partial truth. We all could realize that there was tension between the players and Avery, but I'm willing to bet there was tension between Cuban and Avery as well that lead to his firing.

Josh Howard has issued an apology. We all knew this was coming. You don't disrespect the National Anthem and not issue an apology when you are in the public eye.

So you're apology is accepted Josh. Now can you just shut up and play basketball. If you're going to say stupid things like most of us can or do, make sure there's not recording device around.