*warning, this is a VERY hot sports opinion

Let me present you, the reader, with a simple math problem:

41 = 30 – 12 + 23

Simple enough, right? “what about the HSO,” you ask? Well, hidden behind this basic equation is my opinion that it’s time for the Dallas Mavericks to trade #41 Dirk Nowitzki. Let me first expound on my reasoning and then decipher the rest of the equation for you.

I am a HUGE Dirk fan and the execution of my proposal would probably send me into a temporary sports depression once the Mavericks take the floor without the diggler. I can remember gathering around the radio of someone’s minivan in the parking lot of New Liberty Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 24, 1998 when the mavericks drafted Tractor Trailer and then sent his rights to Milwakee for yet another tall, white stiff. After watching the likes of Chris Ansty, Eric Montross, and Shawn Bradley roll through Big D, I was understandably discouraged by this move. Ten years later, I’ll be the first to admit my stupidity. I love Dirk’s game and his determination. In fact, Dirk is the face of the Dallas sports scene right now, so how could I actually suggest that he be traded?

First of all, it’s a good thing for Dirk. With the current makeup of the team, a championship is not in the future. This team is too flawed to achieve the ultimate success of an NBA championship and Dirk deserves to be in annual contention. By staying in Dallas, barring any Mark Cuban magic, Dirk will finish his career on a team that is continually fighting for a playoff berth, not a championship. Because of Dirk’s unique skill set for his position, building a team around him is more difficult than your traditional player and because of this, without a player of either equal or greater ability complimenting his game, Dirk will not win a title. That player isn’t on this roster. We all hoped Josh Howard would one day be that player but as Craig Miller says, I’ll trade Josh for a king-sized snickers bar right now. So, if you’ve “got your Dirk shirt on”, you see that progression towards HIS goal can be best realized by going elsewhere.

Moving Dirk also facilitates acquisition of the biggest need of the current Mavericks’ roster…young athleticism. One of the oldest teams in the league this year, the Mavs were frequently exposed for being slow and un-athletic at pretty much every position on the floor. A quick scan of the roster reveals that there really are no valuable trade pieces other than Dirk. With the exception of Bass and Howard, the roster is a collection of individuals on the down side of their career and these players would only get similar players in return. Again, Cuban’s proven that he’s willing to throw money at any problem, but the current situation seems to daunting to solve with more cash. This analysis leads to the only scenario that would improve the team in the fairly near future…trading Dirk.

It’s easy to suggest that both Dirk and the Mavs would be better off ending their relationship, but what could the Mavs get in return? This is where we’ll unpack the rest of the equation.

In 2004, the Mavericks made a draft day trade with the Washington Wizards sending Antwan Jamison to the Wiz for Christian Laettner , Jerry Stackhouse, and the #5 overall pick. Dirk is better than Jamison so he should be able to draw more value. Here’s my plan: Dirk Nowitzki to the Miami Heat for their #1 draft pick (assuming they win the lottery, which can’t be assumed just yet), and Shawn Marion.

With the #1 pick, the Mavs would come away with freshman sensation Michael Beasley and if Beasley becomes the player he’s projected to be, the Mavs would have a versatile post-player to build around and building around a traditional power forward would prove to be easier in the long run. Beasly wore #30 at K-State, so he is represented in the equation by this number.

Marion has been one of my least favorite players in the league for several years, but his contract is a little more than $16 million per year and expires after the 08-09 season. This expiring contract is what gives Marion value. Not only does Marion’s contract expire after next season, but Jason Kidd’s $19 million would come off the books as well. This is where the equation gets tricky. Both players’ salary would be eliminated after the ‘09 season, but I’m suggesting the mavs save the new cap space for the following summer. Therefore, the “-12″ represents this lost year. It may seem extreme, but the reward would be worth it.

In the summer of 2010, the players from the 2003 draft become free agents. This brings us to the final piece of the equation…LEBRON JAMES. Cuban has proven that he’s about making big news and big moves and nothing would accomplish both of those quite like bringing in King James. Couple James with Beasley and the championship banners would fill up the AAC.

I have to admit that I have no understanding of the salary cap and this plan involves a couple years of patience but this Is my ideal scenario unless there’s a way to put Lebron with Dirk. “This whole proposal is nothing more than a dream,” you say? I can only gagree…”dreams to reality.” Again, more than anything, I want to see Dirk win a title in Dallas, but at this point, those chances look slim, so it’s time to look for alternatives.