"Mark Cuban's decision to play for cap space after the Mavs' title run wasn't too popular when players like Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea started heading for the exits. But all would be forgiven if Cuban could lure both of the prized free agent targets of next summer -- namely, Deron Williams or Dwight Howard -- to play alongside Dirk in Dallas.

Sure, it sounds like a pipe dream, but the odds might be a little better than you think. ESPN's Marc Stein polled representatives from 10 NBA teams during the D-League Showcase last week, asking whether they thought the Mavs had a realistic shot to land both Williams and Howard.

"Lots of folks around the league are starting to believe that it's possible if not probable," Stein wrote."