[Charlie Brown]

I actually advocate keeping the team intact for now. However, I just want to throw out one trade idea.

Dallas trades: PG Nick Van Exel (11.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.5 apg in 26.9 minutes)
C Raef LaFrentz (9.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.9 apg in 24.6 minutes)
C Tariq Abdul-Wahad (9.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.9 apg in 24.6 minutes)
PG Avery Johnson (3.9 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 1.5 apg in 10.1 minutes)
Dallas receives: PF Karl Malone (19.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.9 apg in 35.8 minutes)
PG John Stockton (10.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 7.6 apg in 27.9 minutes)
Change in team outlook: +5.3 ppg, +1.8 rpg, and +4.6 apg.

Utah trades: PF Karl Malone (19.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.9 apg in 35.8 minutes)
PG John Stockton (10.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 7.6 apg in 27.9 minutes)
Utah receives: PG Nick Van Exel (11.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.5 apg in 30 games)
C Raef LaFrentz (9.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.9 apg in 26 games)
C Tariq Abdul-Wahad (9.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.9 apg in 26 games)
PG Avery Johnson (3.9 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 1.5 apg in 28 games)
Change in team outlook: -5.3 ppg, -1.8 rpg, and -4.6 apg.

TRADE ACCEPTED

I think it makes a lot of sense for Utah as they get a veteran point guard and a young center for two guys who are in the last year of their contracts.

On paper, I think the trade works for Dallas. I think John Stockton is the more ideal backup as he is very efficient in his production and needs only 15-20 minutes a night. I think Nelson would stay away from using the two point guard lineup if Stockton were here. Malone would be the best inside presence we've had since . . . Roy Tarpley? He's an intelligent veteran player who knows how to pass out of the post. He can provide the big body to guard the Duncans, Webbers, and Garnetts. But if the two don't work out, we'll have a lot of free cap space for the future to get a Jermaine O'Neal, etc. . .

Thoughts?