DALLAS (AP) - The way Jerry Stackhouse's contract was structured, the Dallas Mavericks knew they could parlay him into a key player for next season. As it turned out, a lot of teams benefited.

"With J-Kidd running the show, he's definitely going to be spreading the wealth," Marion said.

Marion was a matchup nightmare during his heyday with the Suns - too big for Howard, too quick for Nowitzki. For his career, he's averaged 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.83 steals and 1.31 blocks per game.

Yet Marion is also 31 and headed to his fourth team since February 2008, having bounced from Phoenix to Miami to Toronto. He's also coming off a season in which he had his fewest points, rebounds, blocks and steals since his rookie season.

But this change is different. He's arriving at the start of the season and on a team with legitimate hopes for a deep playoff run. He also has the security of a new contract, which means he doesn't have to think about whether he might be traded again.

"At the end of the day, everybody wants security," Marion said. "If you can get security and get a great home at the same time, why not?"

Stackhouse was enticing for his numbers - contract numbers, that is.

Although Stackhouse is due more than $7 million next season, he can be bought out for only $2 million. That's likely the amount of cash Memphis received for the 34-year-old swingman. The former scoring star played only 10 games last season because of injuries, but will soon be able to cut a deal with any team.

Buckner, who has played in Dallas twice before, has a similar contract. So he's likely to be dealt again or bought out.

Humphries' best season was 2007-08, when he averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. Last season, he was down to 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds before breaking his right leg in January. The 6-foot-10, 280-pound Jawai is an Australian who played just six games last season as a rookie.

The Mavs also are close to re-signing Kidd (awaiting paperwork) and likely adding 25-year-old center Marcin Gortat (more paperwork, including an offer sheet that Orlando is not expected to match). They also want to keep their own free agents, Brandon Bass and James Singleton.

All told, Marion believes Dallas will keep pace with the Lakers, Spurs and the rest of the tough Western Conference.

"With our talent and depth, why not?" he said. "It's the ultimate goal. You've got to have that in your aspirations."