If Shanw marion gets traded it better be to a contender, otherwise the Mavericks championship winning forward ain't having it. Marion said he is at the stage of his career where he needs something to play for. Marion will be in the final year of his deal next season which could make his contract a desirable one for any team dealing for him.

From ESPN.com:

"If I'm going to get traded, they're going to tell me what's going on and where I'm going," the 14-year veteran said. "Because if I'm going to a (expletive) situation, I'm not going. It's just that simple.

"At this time, I'm too old to be trying to go through and be a, you know what I'm saying, not have a chance to do anything. I'm at a point where I want to be playing for something right now."

Marion didn't have an angry tone when he delivered this message. Rather, he was matter-of-fact, insisting he won't report to a team that doesn't have a chance to contend for a title.

"That's the only way I'm going, yeah," Marion said. "Yeah, that's it. That's the only possibility that could come out of that. Other than that, it ain't happening."

So Marion would retire if traded to a lottery-bound team?

"Maybe," he said, laughing. "Anything is possible."

Image via: AP Photo/J Pat Carter