The Mavs additionally are said to be in the running for New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd, but with Dallas over the NBA's team-payroll salary cap, it probably would take one whopper of a sign-and-trade deal for Cuban to acquire Kidd.

Also apparently on the Mavs' short list: Jermaine O'Neal, the young Indiana power forward. O'Neal, though, is said to be on a secondary list along with Kidd and Malone, with all three behind Mourning.

LOS ANGELES

The Lakers are way over the salary cap, so mid-level exception money is their only source of big bucks to spend in the free-agent market. But if Los Angeles is willing to spend all of its mid-level money on Malone, this match may work.

Supposedly, the Lakers are anxious to bring in two big men as they go for their fourth NBA championship in the past five years — especially since they have only two power forwards on their current roster, Slava Medvedenko and 2003 first-round draft choice Brian Cook from the University of Illinois.

One of those two additions could be Robert Horry, who actually has spent the past 6 1/2 seasons with the Lakers. L.A. already has decided not to pick up Horry's $5.3 million option for next season, but if he can't find work elsewhere, the Lakers might be willing to bring him back at a much-reduced price.

The other could be Malone, who desperately wants to win a ring of his own.

During the season, Lakers coach Phil Jackson even went on his weekly national radio show and spoke of the Lakers' interest in Malone. He was supposedly scolded by the NBA for doing so. Still, the point was made.

However, reports later surfaced out of L.A. suggesting Malone might not a primary target for the Lakers — and that there was concern among some in the organization over how he would mesh in the locker room with Laker stars Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

Money, too, could prove to be a stumbling block.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein: "Malone is . . . intrigued by the 'Laker Idea' but bound to be resistant to what would be a pay cut of (more than) $14 million."

Then again, if that is the best deal on the table . . . Malone might just take it.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

The Kings were a late-comer to Malone's list of potential new teams, but they are a legit title-contender.

Affordability, however, is an issue — and there is much question in Sacramento as to whether the Kings are even interested in Malone. In fact, some figure Malone's mention of the Kings is merely a bargaining tool to pique interest from the Lakers and Mavericks.