The Mavericks' 22-28 record is a disappointment for a team accustomed to being a perennial contender, but Dallas has been playing fairly well since falling to 13-23 a little over a month ago. As Vince Carter tells Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Mavs dug themselves into a hole in the first half, but they're taking things one game at a time as they try to claw back into the playoff race. Here's the latest from out of Dallas:
- In addition to Nelson and Carlisle, owner Mark Cuban says that he doesn't like the chances of the Maverics making a deal before the deadline, writes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.
Earlier updates:
- A couple days after Mavericks president Donnie Nelson told reporters that he doesn't expect the Mavs to make a trade this month, coach Rick Carlisle echoed those thoughts today at the team's shootaround. "If you're asking me if we're going to trade anybody, I don't think we're going to,'' Carlisle said, according to Price. "That's my opinion. I don't think we're going to trade [Shawn] Marion, I don't think we're going to trade Vince [Carter], I don't think we're going to trade anybody."
- The Mavericks don't appear to be in the mix to acquire Josh Smith, and Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com explains why he believes not pursuing Smith is the right move.
- In his latest piece, Sam Smith of Bulls.com explores potential destinations for Dwight Howard if the All-Star center leaves the Lakers in the coming weeks or months. Of the Mavericks, Smith writes: "The Mavs keep pretending to be in the picture, but with a quickly slowing Dirk Nowitzki that seems unlikely."