The contract of Mavericks center Erick Dampier could be used as trade bait within the next year.

A team could deal for Dampier next summer and cut him without paying him anything because of the wording in his contract.

In the NBA's struggling economy, a contract like Dampier's is an extremely valuable asset.

The Mavericks could add an impact free agent in 2010 via a sign-and-trade involving Dampier.

"He's a smart guy. He knows how to do math," owner Mark Cuban told ESPN of trade rumors. "I don't think there's any reason to have to go in and discuss it with him."

Via ESPN

Dallas Mavericks

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