Josh Howard Out Indefinitely; Mavs Still Won't Pursue Steven Jackson

After missing the beginning of the season as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery, Josh Howard will be sidelined indefinitely due to continued soreness, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. 

Despite Howard's potentially protracted absence, Stein reports that the Mavs will not change their stance on not trading for disgruntled Warriors forward Steven Jackson. As Stein notes, two issues make Jackson unappealing to the Mavs. First, they would be hard-pressed to find playing time for Marion, Jackson and Howard (once he returns to health); and second, they are wary of assuming Jackson's contract, which calls for the long-in-the-tooth forward to receive $27 million over the next three years.

The Mavs are off to a 5-3 start to the season, and have outscored opponents by 6.6 points per game so far.