The Dallas Mavericks continue to surprise a lot of people but that doesn't mean that the team can relax. For head coach Rick Carlisle, being paid to play alone means one should be giving it his best each time he takes the floor.

Carlisle was, apparently, upset at the lack of effort and energy the team had against the Raptors. Although the final score wasn't an indication of things that happened in the game (particularly the first half), the 103–99 loss only came to being because of a late rally last Tuesday.

The fiery head coach has threatened to move some players if the lack of effort lingers; and Carlisle has vowed to do that, telling reporters, via ESPN, "I can promise you that (trades)." 

The Mavs are currently 16–13 in the Western Conference, which doesn't seem bad if one talks about their pre-tournament billing and the fact that they are made of players who were left out in the free agent market.

The DeAndre Jordan disappointment is turning out as a blessing in disguise for the Mavericks, although Carlisle is not about to take that as a consolation. He wants to prove something but with starters showing less effort, trades could be the answer.

But, of course, he has to consider the state of his regulars. Chandler Parsons and Wes Matthews are coming off sick bay while Dirk Nowitzki is understandably not the same fiery German hotshot he used to be.

Zaza Pachulia, a first year player, understands where Carlisle is coming from and is simply trying to make things work and reap benefits as much as he can.

Carlisle will be with the Mavs for the next five years and to make sure that Mark Cuban and the team get their money's worth, he will continue to bark and push for change if such is needed.