Nobody will deny that the two biggest winners in the NBA offseason so far have been San Antonio and the LA Clippers … but do the Dallas Mavericks belong in the discussion?* In what has been a whirlwind 10 days, the Mavericks have added Orlando C Marcin Gortat, retained PG Jason Kidd, and, last night, acquired SF Shawn Marion in a trade that cost them nothing.The Mavericks new starting lineup will be long, athletic, improved defensively, and probably terribly fun to watch: Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Dirk and Gortat. The bench, after Jason Terry and Eric Dampier, is a bit thin, though.

Even though Dallas isn’t getting the 27-year-old Marion from 2006 (21-11, 33 percent from three, 80 percent FTs, 1.7 blocks, 2.0 steals), they’re getting a guy who will once again be playing with a pass-first PG (Kidd), and in an up-tempo offense. We don’t think he’s got any more double-double seasons in his future, but a 17-7 year wouldn’t surprise us .

It’s the 4th quarter of the Western Conference semis. Who do you want on Jefferson and Ginobili of the Spurs? Marion and Howard ain’t a bad combo. Replay that scenario in the Western Conference finals against the Lakers, who feature Kobe and Artest. Again, Marion and Howard.

A shrewd move by Cuban. Well played, sir.

Based on this move and others out west this summer:

1. Lakers. Though if they lose Odom …
2. Spurs. Don’t love the McDyess signing (esp not over the younger Davis, though he’s much, much cheaper) but Jefferson and Blair more than make up for it.
3. Mavericks. Gortat pickup also allows Dallas to give BJ Mullens two years to eat and develop a post game. Mullens got traded, and because he’s a non-factor, we forgot. Apologies.
4. Denver. Basically the same group as last year, except Billups is a year older. Like the Ty Lawson draft pick.
5. Portland. With Hedo, might have them 2nd. Major, major bummer. Serious pressure on Oden in year two.
6. Utah. If they keep Millsap, maybe they are 5th. Without him, they’re still better than the injury-plagued Rockets.
7. Golden State – This is for Steph Curry. After last year’s injury-filled debacle, we like the idea of Ellis, Curry, Jackson, Randolph and Biedrins being a really exciting young team. Maggette’s a good 6th man.
8. New Orleans - This is on the assumption that Tyson Chandler gets traded. If he stays, put ‘em 7th.

* The next tier of offseason winners: Detroit, Washington.