LOS ANGELES -- Loyalty can be complicated in the NBA.

Everybody wants it and preaches about it. But actually having it isn't always the easiest thing.

Mark Cuban has the reputation of being about as loyal as an owner can be. Sometimes (see: Chandler Parsons), it has damaging potential, although that land mine was sidestepped.

Most times, like now as the NBA creeps toward Thursday's trade deadline, allegiance is something that grows the culture that Cuban wants to promote as the Mavericks go through this difficult set of seasons.

Devin Harris and J.J. Barea are assets that other teams -- contending teams that have their sights on the playoffs or more -- could use. But the Mavericks view both players as franchise assets that won't be sold -- especially not for pennies on the dollar.

"He's loyal to a point where, like myself and J.J., we're not really looking to go elsewhere," Harris said. "We came back here for a reason. And we showed loyalty by sometimes taking less than other places to come back to a place where we wanted to go.

"It's greatly appreciated because -- obviously, we want to win -- but we came here because we want to be part of this family. And he reciprocates that with his loyalty."

This is not a warm and fuzzy moment, however. This is the business time of the NBA season. Trades happen. And while the Mavericks aren't expected to do anything major, Cuban has learned that no matter how loyal he or his players are to each other, you never say never.

"Winning is always the foundation to loyalty," Cuban said. "Every player knows what the goal of our organization is -- to win championships.

"Unfortunately, that means trading or releasing players we really care about. [And] it's very hard to make decisions on what to do or not to do."

It comes down to price points. The Mavericks would part with any number of players not named Dennis Smith Jr., Dirk Nowitzki or Harrison Barnes if the return was good enough. A first-round pick or even a high second-rounder would be enticing.

But the landscape of the league is such that those assets aren't being tossed around frivolously.

The Mavericks are listening to everything and formulating ideas of their own that might make sense for the good of the franchise.

However, this will not be a fire sale in any form or fashion.

"To me, loyalty is being respectful of players, being honest with them -- knowing that we will be there to provide help and support long after their careers are over," Cuban said. "As the Mavs rebuild, the decision process isn't just about talent. It's about culture, chemistry, effort and who the player is off the court and in the community.

"All are of huge importance to [the management team].

"We won't make deals just to make deals. We will make trades that we feel are necessary to put us back on the championship path. Unfortunately, during a rebuild like we are going through, almost every player is going to feel some stress as we head into the trade deadline. It was the same last year.

"The goal is that it won't be the same next year."

Players, especially ones like Harris and Barea who have been around for years, know that if a franchise gets a deal that is too good to pass up, there are no guarantees that they won't be included in trades.

Harris is on the final year of a $4.4 million contract. Barea has another year left at a very team-friendly $3.7 million.

They are the kind of strong role players anybody would want on their side.

"It doesn't come up, but we know," Barea said. "We definitely appreciate it, and he appreciates it, too. Mark is a smart guy. He knows the type of people we are, and we love it here. Me, Devin, Dirk, we wouldn't change this for anything. And he understands how much we like it here."

Asked about other teams needing players like them, Barea said: "No question. But I'm happy where I'm at. You've heard me say it before, this is my home away from Puerto Rico."

Injury update: Barnes turned his left ankle in the third quarter at Sacramento on Saturday night. He said no other player was to blame for his misstep.

"It's a little sore," Barnes said. "We'll see how it responds [Monday]. I was able to finish the game with the adrenaline going. It was a self-inflicted wound -- myself and gravity."

In addition, coach Rick Carlisle said center Nerlens Noel is ramping up his activity and appears on track to return after the All-Star break from thumb surgery.

"He's doing a little better, and he's gone a little bit of 5-on-0 and noncontact 5-on-5," Carlisle said. "He's worked hard, and he's shooting the ball better. He looks good, and he's got plenty of energy.

"I'm dying to get him back. I thought he was going to be back the first week of February, It's going to be after the break, but yes, I'm definitely looking forward to having him available."

Practice buddies: The Mavericks were practicing at USC Sunday in side-by-side gyms next to the Chicago Bulls, who played the Clippers on Saturday and stayed over in Los Angeles. Carlisle joked that the teams thought about a little scrimmage but wondered if it might be against NBA rules.

"We talked about it," he said. "We were trying to figure out, No. 1, if it was legal, and if it wasn't, what the fine would be.

"As it turns out, they have guys banged up, and we have guys banged up, too."