Stackhouse wants new challenge

Jerry Stackhouse sat in front of his locker 90 minutes before Dallas' game with Charlotte on Tuesday sorting through dozens of tickets for family and friends in his return to North Carolina, where he grew up and starred in college.

Once Stackhouse was finished putting the 52 tickets in various envelopes, he stayed in his street clothes, ready for another night on the inactive list as his agent explores a trade or buyout that would end his stint with the Mavericks.

"Teams get to the point where they're starting to focus more on bringing along their young guys," said Stackhouse, who turned 34 this month. "I'm an older guy, but I still feel like I'm not necessarily ready to sit on the bench. I think there is an opportunity out there. With the relationship I've had with the Mavericks over the last five years, I think they would welcome my wishes."

Stackhouse was officially listed with a sore right heel Tuesday. The heel is troublesome, but not the reason his playing time has diminished under first-year coach Rick Carlisle, who has given playing time to Gerald Green and Antoine Wright instead.

It's why Stackhouse, averaging just 5.3 points per game, has asked his agent to begin exploring other opportunities.

"The teams that make sense for me are close and need a veteran, some toughness and a guy that knows how to win big games," Stackhouse said. "Hopefully we can find that, but if not I'll be here in the same role I've been in: continuing to encourage the young guys. That's what the team has been asking me to do. It's just that I feel I could serve a better role somewhere else."

BATTIER BACK AT PRACTICE: Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier practiced with the team for the first time on Tuesday, but Ron Artest and Yao Ming skipped the workout after leaving Monday's win over Oklahoma City with sprained ankles.

Tracy McGrady also practiced Tuesday after re-aggravating his sore left knee in Monday's game. McGrady was going to have an MRI exam on the knee, but decided with team officials that the test was unnecessary.