With the cap flexibility created by Erick Dampier's contract, do you anticipate going after a big-name free agent in the summer of 2010?

We are going to be opportunistic as always. I think we can push to get cap space or put ourselves in a position to do a sign and trade. I actually think there will be more opportunities via sign and trade than using straight cap space

Mark, what effects of the economy have you seen across the league in terms of free-agent signings, and what future impact do you think it will play?

It's had a huge impact. I think out of necessity, teams are going to be far more financially conservative than they have been in the past.

How do you grade the moves during the off-season? It seems the team got older and slower with Shawn Marion, Tim Thomas, Drew Gooden and an aging Jason Kidd.

I think we had a great off-season. We upgraded our second unit, which I felt was our weakest link last year, as much as any team in the league. So I'm real excited.

Why don't you sign a better center?

Why don't you ask a better question? :)

Many times in sports, there are surprises - a team dumps a superstar for salary reasons, drug suspensions, a team plays much better than anyone expects, etc. If you had to guess, what type of surprise might we see in the NBA this season?

Here is my guess. Someone (not me) upsets the chemistry of their team by something they said on Twitter or whatever the hot social network or digital communications tool of the moment is. Someone is going to be on their phone upset about something and let a tweet fly, and all hell will break loose on that team.

How would you describe your relationship with Donnie Nelson? Have your issues with Don Nelson affected your relationship with Donnie?

Donnie and I get along great.

Would you have raised your initial offer to Brandon Bass if you had known Orlando would match for Marcin Gortat?

No. We were excited for Brandon to go to a team where he has a chance to play. We just didn't have minutes available for him.

DigitalExtra

REPLAY Tuesday's entire chat with Mark Cuban on the Mavericks blog.

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