Is Dallas a contender now?

I think it maybe to earlier to say but I really think this trade makes the Mavs a better team. I have loved Josh Howard during his years with the Mavs, but his inability to stay healthy has really hurt the team. Constantly in and out of the line-up kept the Mavs from finding a consistent mesh as a team. Caron Butler brings a lot to the table the Howard could no longer provide. No question he is a very capable scorer and J-Kidd makes everyone around him better, even if he is 50 years old. Butler is also a better defender and has had some experience in clutch situations. Excited about what he brings to the team. Brendan Haywood is a little bit of a unknown. To me he looks like a younger version of Erik Dampier. Which can be a good thing and a bad thing. He does seem to be a little more mobile and maybe a little more offensively gifted. But what the Mavs need is another tough defender and rebounder to help against the likes of the Nuggets and Lakers. I truly believe he can do that. Deshawn Stevenson is a wild card for sure. I have never liked the guy. He seems to do more talking than actually playing. Very, very streaky shooter. And he is a hot head that could cost us a ticked off Kobe or Melo in the playoffs. If he accepts his role as a defender and spot duty guy then it might work. This trade has also allowed Jason Terry to return to coming off the bench. That is a lightning rod that greatly helps the Mavericks. But if the Mavs are going to go far in the playoffs the will need more than just Terry off the bench. The health of Dampier will be important to watch. J.J. Barea has been in a slump but can also be a big lift off the bench. Since this trade the Mavs have beaten the Lakers at home and came back from double digit deficeit at Atlanta. The pieces are there, lets just see if the Mavs can have them all fit.