Bad news for Mavs: ya could'a been a contender

Chicago just netted Brad Miller and John Salmons. Salmons was really the best swingman candidate on the market who was good, who was relatively cheap in salary, and who could be had for salary cap relief+. Salmons would have made this team a threat to reach the WC finals, but no further (so why not break 'er up you ask? good question...) In an earlier trade including Jermain Oneil, Jemario Moon was traded to Miami.

These 2 were among those I had recommended the mavs pursue. Here is the full list that I posted a few weeks ago:
John Salmons
Anthony Parker
Francisco Garcia
Grant Hill
Azubuike
S. Thefolosha
Matt Barnes
Mccants
Gomes

fall backs
Belinelli
J. Moon

Long shots
Blatche (but only packaged with a swingman)

I don't think Hill or Barnes are going anywhere as phx is trying to retool their style of play in an attempt to make the playoffs. I wouldn't think that Blatche would be on the market and Washington doesnt really have a 5th starter type swingman to ante up but they are apparently shopping Jamison. I really like JR Smith, who the mavs did not pursue when he was a FA and on the trading block, but Denver's success this year really precludes any deal for him. Belinelli, well, you have to question what the guy has if he is a shooter who can't get any minutes on a small-ball club. He is just too unproven to warrant trading for IMO.

McCants can be had but is he better than some of our swingmen stiffs? I have always liked Gomes and he would be a better SF than anyone not named Josh on the roster however he would be a def. liability. A. Parker could be had. He is paid about 4.5mill this yr and is a Diaw type guy who can shoot the three. Great court awareness, excellent passer, scores when he has too. I would take him.

I doubt Sac is interested in trading Garcia anymore as they are now in youth-mvmt mode. Azubuike might be had and he is under 4mill per and I have always liked Thefolosha who is a good all-around player- plays D on 2 positions, rebounds, passes well, shoots wells, secondary scorer.

So who is reasonable to acquire? I say Azubuike and Thefolosha are the top candidates at the moment with McCants and Gomes pulling up the rear. Other than these 4 (unless anyone else on the list becomes available), I don't really see anyone else worth pursuing that would not require decimating our roster to acquire. In fact, I'll go one step further and say, if you want to decimate the roster, send players out rather than bring them in. GO MAVS! 2010!