[Rick41]

If Jerry Stackhouse finds himself in a Mavericks uniform once the Feb. 19 trade deadline passes, well, that's fine with him. He actually sounds encouraged by the idea. And while the veteran guard missed his 40th consecutive game Thursday night against Utah, he hopes to return next week for the team's final game before the All-Star break. The reversal stems from a conversation Stackhouse had with Rick Carlisle last week. The Mavericks coach told Stackhouse once he is healthy, he will be given the opportunity to reclaim a consistent role in the rotation. "It changed my whole mind-set of what I was thinking," Stackhouse said. "I just wasn't comfortable with what was being said early on about using me in certain matchups and certain games. As a competitor, I just wasn't ready to accept that. -- Dallas Morning News