Tim MacMahon

  (1:28 PM)

Thanks for joining me. I'm chatting live from the DFW Airport D terminal, where I'm catching a flight to Denver soon. Should be an interesting next week for the Mavs with four straight games against West threats, if you include the up-and-coming Timberwolves in that class. Fire away.

Sal (ATL)

What are your thoughts on J.Lin so far? Bet the Mavs regret not giving his a second look. Thanks.

Tim MacMahon

  (1:29 PM)

Jeremy Lin is a great story, but don't blame the Mavs for letting him get away. They were the only team that wanted him for the summer league and they tried to sign him to an NBA contract after that. It was his choice to go to his hometown Warriors, where he had a better chance of playing right away.

Kris (Warsaw, Poland)

Is it time to take out Lamar Odom one week (like happened with Dirk) so that he'll get back into shape as B. Wright looks decent?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:30 PM)

The Mavs have discussed doing that with Odom and decided that it's not the best route for him. He's playing his way into better shape. He's just not playing very well, especially offensively. At least he's been more active lately.

JFB (Dallas)

Are Wright and Williams on two year team option contracts where they can be written off the books if the Mavs elect not to resign them?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:31 PM)

Yes. In the case of Wright, however, he could be a heck of a bargain for the league minimum next season.

JFB (Dallas)

If Carter keeps playing at this level, is he a bargain next year at 3 mill no matter what happens in free agency or do you cut him loose for cap reasons?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:32 PM)

He looks like a $3 million bargain to me, but it probably depends on the reward if they clear out more cap space. But they wouldn't shave much cap space by parting with Carter, whose contract is partially guaranteed.

Josh Golden (Erie)

Do you think the Mavs will repeat?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:35 PM)

I don't rule out the possibility. I counted this team out after their awful late March/early April road trip last season. I won't make the same mistake again. However, I think it's safe to say that the odds are against the Mavs repeating. There are more talented teams in both conferences.

Sahar (Israel)

We must trade Lamar now that his value is still high because he still haasn't shown up for the season. Even add some more pieces to make a major trade. Agree? Any player coming to your mind in addition to D will ?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:41 PM)

No, I don't agree. Odom's offseason value is his buyout. They can buy him out for $2.4 million, shaving almost $6 million off the cap. If they can pay a team to take Odom for nothing in a trade, they can shave off all $8.2 million. They don't have the pieces to make a major upgrade before this trade deadline. That has to happen this summer, and they've got to have cap space to get it done.

wayne (orlando.fl)

Do you think it would kill the depth and chemistry of the team, if the mavs made a blockbuster trade this year.

Tim MacMahon

  (1:41 PM)

I don't see it happening. What are the Mavs going to give up? Why would they do that when they think they'll have a legit shot at Deron Williams and/or Dwight Howard this summer?

Brad (Toronto)

Obviously the worst case scneario for the Mavs would be Howard going to NJ before trade deadline where they can't get him or Williams. What do the Mavs do then if it gets to that situation?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:43 PM)

They go to Plan D. I don't know what that is, but Mark Cuban has mentioned several times that it's a lot easier to make upgrades in the trade market if you have cap space under the new CBA. As far as free agency goes, let me mention a name I've brought up before: Steve Nash. If he comes back to play with his buddy Dirk for a short-term deal, the Mavs can add a star and maintain financial flexibility.

Brent (Midland)

Everyone keeps talking about how when Kidd returns the turnovers will be cut down, but let's not forget Kidd has been throwing away his fair share of passes this year at an aggravating rate. I still want Roddy to get his minutes. Thoughts?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:44 PM)

After tomorrow, Kidd will have missed 40 percent of the Mavs' games this season while averaging less than 30 minutes when he does play. He's not going to play heavy, heavy minutes. They need Roddy Beaubois and/or Delonte West to give them at least 20 quality minutes of point guard play per night.

BK (Dallas)

I love Roddy b and delonte they can create for them and for others but lately they have beeen urking me a bit can someone give them the memo that forth quarter is DIRK/JETS time not oh lets get dikr three touches in the last four minutes and take wild shots 15ft from the rim

Tim MacMahon

  (1:46 PM)

No doubt that the offense needs to run through Dirk and Jet during crunch time. They've been one of the best one-two closing punches in the league for several decades. It's stunning to see opponents close games with 10-1 and 8-2 runs to beat the Mavs over the last week.

Joe (New Mexico)

How close do you think the Mavs are to clicking completely on offense? It seemed it lagged a little despite two typical games from the Dirk we're accustomed to seeing.

Tim MacMahon

  (1:48 PM)

Hard to call them close considering what we've seen the last few games. The good news is the big German finally looks like a 10-time All-Star again. Now they need to get all the guys who had been picking up Dirk's slack going again. The Mavs are at their best when they're balanced. They were 36-8 when they had at least five players in double figures last season. They're 8-2 in such games this season. They need Marion, Terry, Carter, etc. all going to have a chance to make a championship run again. And Kidd has to orchestrate it all while knocking down open 3s, which he's struggled to do this season.

Brad (Toronto)

Would a guy like J.R. Smith help the Mavs out offensively? Or do think it would create problems with chemistry and in the locker room?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:50 PM)

I don't think adding J.R. Smith would be worth the risk. Too much of a knucklehead factor, although Mavs coaching consultant Tim Grgurich has a good relationship with Smith dating to their days together in Denver. But I'd rather have Carter and West getting those minutes than a gunner who doesn't know the system anyway.

JFB (Dallas)

Are the only guys for sure coming back next year Wright, Carter, Beaubois, and Dirk? With the Mavs looking to amnesty Haywood trade Marion/Jones, buy out Odom/Carter to try to get Williams/Howard?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:51 PM)

The only guy for sure that will be here next season is Dirk. Haywood and Marion and amnesty/trade candidates if they need cap space to sign a star, and everyone else can be moved or bought out or is in the last season of their contract.

Bryan (Springdale, AR)

What impresses you most about this Mavs team and what has disappointed you the most?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:52 PM)

The depth is the most impressive team. If you'd have told me before the season that Dirk would struggle like he did, I'd have had a hard time believing this team would be above .500. The underwhelming performances of proven vets like Kidd, Odom and (until recently) Dirk has been the most disappointing thing.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Who is the Best & the Worst Head Coach in Dallas Mavericks History?

Tim MacMahon

  (1:53 PM)

Rick Carlisle is the only one who won a ring, so he's the easy choice for the best coach in franchise history. I'd have to go with Quinn Buckner as the worst. He wasn't here long, but man, it was a miserable stint.

BK (Dallas)

Has Brandon wrights play/min been more due to ian struggles lately ?? or because of his (Brandons) play at the offensive side, and do you see his skills starting to blemish or is he just a little hot right now and we possibly see him back down to his normaly role??

Tim MacMahon

  (1:55 PM)

It's a combination. Ian Mahinmi's production has tailed off recently and Wright has consistently taken advantage of his limited opportunities. Wright is a phenomenal leaper who uses that ability well as a shot blocker and finisher. I see them competing for minutes the rest of the season. All in all, Mahinmi has still been a bright spot this season.

Brad (Toronto)

With the Mavs currently out of the playoff picture despite Dirk coming back to form the past 2 games, do you see them making any minor moves before the deadline, or do they play it out with their current roster and likely get stuck with a lower than usual playoff seed? Surely they wouldn't want to risk going from champs to potentially missing the playoffs...

Tim MacMahon

  (1:58 PM)

The Mavs aren't out of the playoff picture. They're smack dab in the middle of a logjammed West. They're one of four teams tied for the 6-9 spots with a 14-11 record, and they're only one game behind Denver for the fourth seed right now. I see them sticking with this roster, fighting for a playoff spot and hoping to peak in the postseason again. Then they'll do some significant roster remodeling in the summer.

Tim MacMahon

  (1:58 PM)

Appreciate all the questions. I've got to grab lunch before getting on the plane. If I didn't touch on your topic, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @espn_macmahon