http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~28541~2231336,00.html

In what could be the prelude to a Shaquille O'Neal trade today, the Mavericks agreed to a trade with the Washington Wizards in which they would acquire the No. 5 pick in tonight's draft plus Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner in exchange for Antawn Jamison.

The Dallas/Washington trade is pending approval by the league office this morning.

An NBA executive said late Wednesday that the Mavericks now would approach the Lakers with a new offer of Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and the No. 5 pick in exchange for O'Neal.

To make the deal work, Dallas would have to find a way to add another $8 million or so in salary owed to a player or players as a way of balancing the NBA-high $27.7 million O'Neal is set to make next season.

Owner Mark Cuban had told the Dallas Morning News on Wednesday that Nowitzki would not be included in an O'Neal trade. But the executive speaking late Wednesday said the Mavericks' new offer would include the sixth-year All-Star forward.

Dallas still would be able to pair O'Neal in a lineup with Antoine Walker, Michael Finley and Steve Nash should it trade away Nowitzki.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak declined to address O'Neal's situation in detail during a Wednesday conference call with reporters, which ended only a few minutes before the trade was announced.

O'Neal's business manager, Mike Parris, did not return multiple messages Wednesday.

"I'm always optimistic that things work out for the best and I feel this will also," Kupchak said. "Obviously, the best of all worlds is that we keep this team together and carry on and win."

the plot thickens!

Please add this to the Mavs Trade Jamison to wiz's for 5th pick in draft.... thread.