The chances of all three Texas clubs making the playoffs took a hit last night when the Mavericks lost to the Lakers, falling two and a half games off the pace for the final Western Conference postseason berth. That didn't stop the Mavs from making a roster move today, replacing Justin Dentmon with Josh Akognon, another 10-day contract signee. That's not the only Mavs-related news we have this evening, as we detail:
- Salary Cap FAQ author Larry Coon looks at the flexibility the Rockets and Mavs will have this summer, concluding that both will fall short of the cap space needed to offer Dwight Howard a max contract. The teams can clear additional cap room by trading one of their players or waiving someone who signed under the current CBA and spreading out his remaining cap hit using the stretch provision. They could also try to entice the Lakers into giving up Howard via sign-and-trade.
- Mavs owner Mark Cuban told reporters, including Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com, that he'd have "no problem whatsoever" drafting Baylor women's star Brittney Griner or having her on the Mavs' Summer League team if she was the best option available. "She'd still have to make the team," Cuban said. "I'm not going to carry her just to carry her. I don't think, anyways. But I certainly wouldn't be opposed to giving her the opportunity."
- Griner's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, wouldn't rule out the possibility her client would play in the NBA, but said she doesn't think Griner needs to prove her mettle by playing against men, notes Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal (Twitter links). "I am sure a lot of WNBA teams would love if she played for the Mavs!" the agent said.
- An NBA Western Conference exec laughed and said, "No way," when HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy asked him if he thought Griner could play in the league (Twitter link).