Mavericks roster is packed

While catching up on things as the NBA season inches closer, one interesting note is that the Mavericks have 16 players under contract. That's one more than the maximum and two more than they were hoping to carry in these cost-cutting times. It won't be hard to get down to 15. A trade of Greg Buckner's favorable contract or simply waiving another player with a relatively cheap contract is the most likely scenario. There are also two free agents left on the roster who are unsigned: James Singleton and Gerald Green. The guess is that both will end up elsewhere, although the Mavericks would like to figure out a way to keep Singleton. Two other unsigned rookies, Nick Calathes and Ahmad Nivins, will play overseas this season. All of this is akin to the hood ornament on the Mavericks' roadster. Their roster is pretty much set and reads like this: Center: Erick Dampier. Forwards: Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden, Tim Thomas, Kirk Humphries, Nathan Jawai, Shawne Williams. Guards: Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, J.J. Barea, Roddy Beaubois, Greg Buckner, Quinton Ross, Matt Carroll. --Eddie Sefko