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Avery Johnson is gone.

Dirk Nowitzki completed what he calls, "another wasted year."

The Mavericks lurch into an uncertain future with no coach, no first-round draft pick and no reason to believe next post-season will be any better than the last two.

Enjoy the off-season.

David Moore

Q: Now that Avery Johnson has been fired, will the Mavs go after a veteran coach like Pat Riley who has a proven track record in the playoffs?

Tom Womack, Dallas

MOORE: Owner Mark Cuban might decide to pursue a veteran coach like Riley. But Riley himself? That's doubtful. A call may be placed, but Riley made it clear when he stepped down as Miami coach earlier this week that he wouldn't coach again.

There are two other things to keep in mind with Riley. One, he has an ownership stake with the Heat. Would Cuban be willing to match that deal? And two, owner Micky Arison lets Riley do his job and stays out of the way. Do you think Cuban would take the same approach?

Q: I was saying that Avery would be fired if he lost to Byron Scott. I can forgive him for losing to Nellie and Pat Riley. By the end of the playoffs, I felt that he would not be fired only because Jason Kidd has another year left and you can't expect a team to get a new coach and win immediately in a new system. Now Avery is fired and I lost a 12-pack to a friend. Question: How many teams have changed coaches in the off-season and won the championship that year?

Don Bates, Garland

MOORE: I must admit I didn't comb the NBA records to find every example. But two did come to mind. Riley replaced Paul Westhead during the 1981-82 season, and that LA Lakers team went on to beat Philadelphia in the NBA Finals. Kurt Rambis was replaced by Phil Jackson entering the 1999-2000 season, and that team also won the title.

Maybe the question is how many teams other than the Lakers have changed coaches in the off-season and won the championship that year?

Q: Two quick questions for you. I totally understand the rationale in firing Avery. But Cuban had problems with Big Nellie and he left. His relationship with Avery crumbled before our lurking eyes and now he's gone. Do you think the next coach will be more of a Cuban-pleaser than one that is actually a better fit for winning a title? Also, what's your quick look on next year's roster and realistic free-agent acquisitions, considering cap room and needs. My vote is keep only Dirk, Brandon Bass and Jason Kidd, but I know that's probably only a fantasy.

JP, Lufkin

MOORE: This will be interesting to watch. Don Nelson and Johnson were both strong personalities who eventually clashed with Cuban. Part of me believes that's the sort of domineering presence Cuban wants in a head coach.

But could Cuban decide to go with the NBA equivalent of the Cowboys' Wade Phillips, a solid coach who isn't interested in establishing a power base or engaging in a turf war? We're about to find out.

As for your second question, Nowitzki, Kidd and Bass will likely return. If you think anyone will assume Erick Dampier's contract, that's a fantasy.

Q: This one may be too hot for y'all to handle because I realize that you have to maintain some level of rapport with the players (Big Ed, that means relationship). Given the age and contracts of the roster, I simply can't see a way to salvage this team. The only thing to do is blow it up and start over again. Out of respect for Nowitzki, I would even trade him and give him a chance to get a ring somewhere else. Thus, please place all of the existing players in the following categories: (1) gone, nothing in return; (2) gone, but can get something for them; (3) should be gone, but the contract prevents moving them; and (4) keepers, meaning that they have talent and could still be around three years from now when the Mavs may be competitive again.

Richard Rogers, Denver, Colo.

MOORE: Outstanding idea. I may wait a few weeks, spring this on my editors at the paper and claim that it's my idea.

Category 1: JJ Barea, Devean George, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, Jamaal Magloire.

Category 2: Eddie Jones, Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Howard (to be determined).

Category 3: Erick Dampier.

Category 4: Dirk Nowitzki, Brandon Bass, Jason Terry.

Q: Do they need to blow up the team and start over? Trade the stars for as much young talent and draft picks as they can get and spend a few painful years rebuilding like the '89 Cowboys?

Dave Machanick

MOORE: The essential question here is do you believe this team can challenge for a title over the next three years with Nowitzki and Kidd if they are surrounded with the right players? Why three years? That's how much Nowitzki has remaining on his contract.

If Mavericks management determines this team can challenge, it won't be blown up. If the answer is no, anything can happen this off-season. Anything.

Q: I think the number one thing to address this off-season (other than finding a head coach) is getting an athletic, starting shooting guard. I would try to trade Josh Howard for one and start Brandon Bass at the three next year. First of all do you agree? Secondly, who could we get ... maybe Corey Maggette from the Clippers?

Branson Gene

MOORE: The Mavericks do need a young, athletic shooting guard who can do one thing no shooting guard on the current roster seems able to do - shoot. The problem is, trading Howard to get one would then leave you with a void at small forward.

The ideal scenario is to have two athletic players at the two positions. Bass at small forward? I'm not sure. He's an explosive player who can give players problems at power forward and center, but I don't know if he has the quickness or defensive ability to flourish at small forward.

The Mavericks wanted Maggette during the off-season and thought they had him for Jason Terry, but LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling nixed the deal. He is a name to keep in mind moving forward.

Q: If I remember correctly, the Mavs will be finished paying Michael Finley after this season. Will they be able to use this money to get free agents, or are they already too far over the cap for it to make any difference?

Tracy, Jacksonville, Texas

MOORE: You're memory is excellent. Finley and his $17.3 million contract will disappear from the Mavericks' books in July. The team will still be so far over the salary cap it won't make a difference.

Q: How can we fire Mark Cuban?

Anonymous

MOORE: Remove $461 million from your bank account and enter negotiations to buy the team.

Q: Why did you guys fire someone with his talent. You guys need to look at the players a little harder, like weed smoking Josh Howard. Avery is a very talented coach, but a coach can only do so much! The players are to blame for this huge loss, not Avery! I used to be a Mavs fan until I heard of Avery Johnson's firing. I will forever be a Spurs Fan.

Mary Rodriguez

MOORE: There's no question here, but with all of the Johnson-bashing that has taken place, we felt compelled to offer an alternative view.