Stackhouse Looking for a Change

It looks like Dallas Mavericks forward Jerry Stackhouse is once again looking for a change of scenery. Over the past two weeks Dallas coach Rick Carlisle has been very inconsistent with his use of the 15-year veteran. How inconsistent you ask? Let’s break it down.

November 3rd – Stackhouse was on the teams active roster, but earned the dreaded DNP. For those not aware of NBA abbreviations, that would be a did not play. The official reasoning was plantar fasciitis in his right foot. If Stack couldn’t handle the soreness in his foot then he should of been on the inactive roster for the game, so one would have to consider this a coach’s decision.

November 4th – Jerry was the first player off the Dallas bench. Yea, look at the date. November 4th. Just one day after earning a DNP, Stack was the team’s sixth man, the first guy off the bench. He played 18 minutes but had a horrendous shooting night going one for five.

November 16th – This past Sunday the Mavericks faced off against the New York Knicks, what role did Stackhouse have? None whatsoever, the team placed him on the inactive list and even said it was Coach Carlisle’s decision.

In the time between the 4th and 16th, Stackhouse’s game action varied from 12 to 24 minutes. His performance was obviously better in the games where he played close to 24 minutes and got the chance to shoot the ball and get in a rhythm. His best game in that stretch even came against the Los Angeles Lakers, showing that he could still play when the competition gets tougher.

So yea when you look at things, Stackhouse must feel like he has no role with the Dallas Mavericks. As a 15 year veteran he most likely feels he has earned the right for a defined role, especially when you consider that he’s been with the Mavs for five seasons. The Dallas Morning News had a very telling quote today from Jerry and his thoughts on a departure.

“The team is always going to protect themselves, so I can’t force their hand to do anything,” Stackhouse said. “I don’t really know all the options right now. I talked to Jeff (Schwartz, his agent) yesterday and we’ve had dialogue over the last few weeks and it’s like we were going to keep playing it out. And it’s to the point now where it’s time to start researching some things and see if there are some other possibilities that make more sense for me right now.”

What does this mean? It means that Stackhouse and his agent have begun the process of getting him out of Dallas. Possibilities include trades and even a possible buyout. One would think a trade could be tough as Stackhouse is under contract through the 2009-2010 season. I think this could actually help him.

Think about this, when do most teams want to be under the salary cap? That would be the summer AFTER the 2009-2010 season when LeBron James becomes a free agent. For a team like say maybe the New Jersey Nets, why not explore a trade with the Mavericks. Stackhouse may be past his prime but could definitely help team in the middle of the pack stay competitive while they await the big prize. I’m quite sure Stackhouse and his agent both know this and using that to their advantage. Only problem is what would a team be willing to give up that Dallas would like?

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Tags: Mavericks, NBA