Could Mavs Swap Lead Bucks to Match Offer for Sessions?

The agent for Ramon Sessions has told FanHouse he does not expect Milwaukee to match Minnesota's four-year, $16 million offer sheet for the point guard. But a new trade rumor leaves open the possibility that Milwaukee is trying to cut enough salary to fit Sessions back into the equation.

DallasBasketball.com reports that the Mavericks are discussing a deal to send Greg Buckner to Milwaukee. Buckner is a great little asset right now: he's on the books for $8.2 million over two seasons. But only $2 million of that is guaranteed. If his team waives him by November 30, Buckner is only owed $1 million this season -- and that applies to the cap space he takes up.

DB.com proposes Buckner to Milwaukee for veteran big Kurt Thomas, who could certainly help the Mavs. The trade (and a waiving of Buckner by the Bucks) would allow Milwaukee to match the Sessions offer without exceeding the luxury tax thresold. The Bucks have until the end of Friday to make a decision on Sessions.

Of course, that doesn't mean the Buckner trade has to get consummated Friday -- teams have until the trade deadline, effectively, to sneak under the tax threshold. Provided Bucks GM John Hammond feels comfortable that he can make a deal to get under the tax, using Buckner or one of the three teams currently under the salary cap, he can match Sessions and worry about the rest later.

Hammond may not be in such a position of faith, though. Earlier this week he told FanHouse's Chris Tomasson that the Bucks will absolutely not pay the tax this season.

Thomas has still proven to be a valuable defender, despite his advanced age. (He'll turn 37 during the preseason.) He was arguably the Spurs' second best defender last season; San Antonio desperately needed offensive help, and swapped away Thomas, Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Oberto in exchange for Richard Jefferson. The Mavericks' frontline currently features Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier, Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden, Tim Thomas (seriously) and Nathan Jawai.