Making the Mavs a contender

[akaarod03]

Rumors abound about Raef Lafrentz and Evan Eschmeyer being shipped to New York for Kurt Thomas and Charlie Ward. Would I do that deal? Absolutely. But that isn't enough to contend with the Lakers, Kings, and Spurs of the world. I would package Charlie and Avery Johnson (both who have expiring contracts at the end of this season) to Atlanta for Theo Ratliff. I might throw in a future 1st rounder and cash to sweeten the deal. Atlanta apparently is in a rebuilding mode...desperately trying to rid themselves of massive contracts...see Glen Robinson. Avery, Charlie, and Terrell Brandon (who came from the Minnesota deal) would give Atlanta a ton of salary-cap room at the end of next year (around 20 million). What good will that do? Who knows. With the full mid-level exception, I would then try to get Stephen Jackson...filling the SF position. I truly believe a 4 year 22 million dollar offer would get Jackson here to Dallas.

To potenitally get Thomas, Ratliff, and Jackson would be a successful offseason. But the question is will the Mavs do anything? Or continue to have this "let's just stand pat" stance?

Your thoughts?