Mavs Moneyball

Shawn Marion To Dallas: What They're Saying

2009-07-09T17:33:40Z

Shawn Marion's Twitter
What's up tweeps its official ur boy is a maverick that's what's up

ESPN: Latest Best Guess of what is heading to Dallas
The deal, according to sources, calls for the Mavericks to acquire Marion and Kris Humphries from Toronto and Greg Buckner from Memphis, with Marion to receive a five-year contract worth an estimated $39 million. Buckner has had two previous stints with the Mavericks but is likely to be released, sources said.

What grabbing Shawn Marion could mean to Dallas - Ball Don't Lie
This team obviously fancies itself a tinker or two away from re-joining the elite of their conference, two years removed from posting the NBA's best record. With all this money tossed around, will it make a difference? It should. Bringing in Marcin Gortat(notes), an above-average player who will only get better, is a sweet deal for an average salary. Retaining Kidd is fine, though he'll be slightly overpaid in the last two years of his three-year, $25 million dollar deal. And Marion can really help this squad.

DB.com Morning Donuts
So did the Mavs do a deal worthy of passing on Shaq, Jefferson and Carter? The best of that lot, for the Mavs' needs, is Jefferson. He's going to make $14.2 million. We're predicting Shawn Marion's new contract will start at $7 million or so. Are RJ and Shawn comparable talents? I would say so.

David Lord's Technical Morning Donuts
Buckner has an instant expiring contract (Stack-like) and he will definitely get waived later this year. The Mavs might use it themselves, but don't be surprised if they picked up his chip to include in a package later with a team needing financial relief. Buckner instant expiring deadline isn't until 11/30.

D Magazine: The Mavericks’ Summer Plan Unfolds
He is 31 years old. As someone who has gone to great lengths to suggest that our basketball team is becoming very old, I would likely be a hypocrite if I didn’t see this as another "older" addition. On the other hand, if you were going to get someone over 30, I would imagine a human jumping-jack like Marion will appear a bit younger than he is when he is going right. He plays above the rim. He will not be 32 until next May. If you are playing in a 3-year window, you are getting his 31, 32, and 33-year old seasons for this run (and 34 and 35, too). Not a horrible gamble, but it is worth noting that the Mavs have just added more "experience".

Eddie Sefko: Dallas Mavericks trade for Marion
The Mavericks now have a potential starting lineup of Marcin Gortat, Dirk Nowitzki, Marion, Josh Howard and Jason Kidd, with sixth man of the year Jason Terry coming off the bench. Marion, 31, has been on the decline the last few seasons but has averaged 17.8 points and 9.9 rebounds in his career. He had a strong second half last season after getting traded from Miami to Toronto, averaging 16 points and 9.3 rebounds in April.

Tim Cowlishaw: Marion makes Dallas Mavericks worthwhile
Are the Mavericks ready to dethrone the Lakers in the West? I don't think you can say that about any team. On paper, are they a better team than the one that advanced to the second round in May and are they a more intriguing team to watch in 2009-10? By a mile.

John Hollinger: Four-way trade puts Dallas Mavericks back in West's elite
It's all about prying the window open as long as you can. And with this week's moves to re-up Jason Kidd, sign Marcin Gortat to an offer sheet and acquire Shawn Marion in a four-team deal, the Mavs are doing all they can to keep it from slamming shut while Dirk Nowitzki is still an elite player.

...That said, this could all go to hell amazingly fast. On opening day, Kidd will be 36, Dampier 34, Terry 32, Nowitzki 31 and Marion 30; Howard also turns 30 in April. Of their top seven players, only Gortat, 25, could be described as in his prime, but he has the opposite problem: He's so untested that there's still some uncertainty surrounding how he'll perform as a 30-minute starter.

On the other hand, based on last season's performance, this team looks like a real danger to the West's elite. Dallas boasts eight players who had a PER above the league average last season -- nine if Bass re-signs -- and one of them is a genuine star in Nowitzki.

Mark Cuban, Mavericks choose to reload, not rebuild - Scott Howard-Cooper - SI.com
The Mavs believe they've got something special in a veteran team that was only three games from missing the playoffs. How else to explain three years for the 36-year-old Kidd? Only a team in win-now mode makes that investment. "It's hard to say what we would have done [if the finish had not been as encouraging]," owner Mark Cuban said. "We take the same approach every summer. We try to be opportunistic. If we get players we think can make us successful, we are going to do it."

NBA.com: Mavs, Raptors make big push to improve themselves
The Mavs could afford to let Wright go after signing defensive specialist Quinton Ross on Wednesday. Overall, Dallas has added depth, defense and speed. They're pretty stacked with talent as well, led by the former MVP Nowitzki. Among Western Conference contenders, only L.A. and San Antonio are surer bets to be a top-four seed in April.

Doug Smith's Toronto Raptors blog
Yes, this is the single greatest masterstroke achieved by a Raptors general manager in the time I’ve been covering the team, which is as long as the team has been in existence. Bryan got the free agent he wanted – Turkoglu – at the number he wanted him at. He got two guys who are if not serviceable – and I don’t know about Wright but I bet he’s got a shot at doing something there – have contracts that expire at the end of this season so they do not interfere with any salary machinations next summer.

Marion Trade Agreed To By Memphis, Toronto, Dallas

2009-07-09T04:32:03Z

UPDATE: Now it looks like Orlando is involved due to Toronto looking for a sign & trade with Hedu Turkoglu. Look for the smoke to clear on Thursday.

Both the Associated Press and ESPN are reporting that the trade sending Toronto Raptors forward Shawn Marion to the Mavericks has been agreed to by Toronto and the Memphis Grizzlies. The three team trade sends Jerry Stackhouse and cash to the Grizzlies, while Toronto gets Devean George and Antoine Wright and their expiring contracts. Dallas receives Shawn Marion and forward Kris Humphries.

The Damp Bombshell

2009-07-08T21:23:29Z

Earlier this week, Dallasbasketball.com's David Lord took a look at Erick Dampier's non-guaranteed contract for 2010 and realized that it was a huge asset for acquiring one of the players amongst the amazing free agent class of next year. I can't believe that the story hasn't received significant national attention as it has spectacular implications.

There are a lot of questions about this situation, so I'll provide you with two scenarios below to illustrate how it could work. But first to answer two questions I've seen:

Can't another team do this? No, no other team has a non-guaranteed contract remotely close to the size of Dampier's.
Couldn't the Mavs trade Dampier this year for something so another team could use this chip next year? The Mavs could, but the one element of this that no one discusses is the absolutely massive impact this will have on the team's payroll. Teams willing to use this chip have to theoretically be willing to take on upwards of $30 million a year in extra payroll if you include the luxury tax. Very very few teams would be willing to swallow that much of a commitment for one player.

Let's use Dwyane Wade as an example as to how this could go:

The Knicks with a better roster than Miami and lots of cap space go to Wade and offer him the max they can.
Wade goes to Riley and says, "Look, I have a better chance of winning in New York. I'm not taking the extra year from you, I'm going to New York."
Riley, having already talked to Donnie Nelson, replies, "How about this: We'll sign you for more than you can make in New York AND you can go play in Dallas with Jason Kidd and their 50 win team."
Wade goes, "Shucks, I'm adding Cuban to my fave five right now!"
Riley goes to Cuban and says, "I want max cash and some draft picks, and you can have Wade."
Cuban looks at his payroll, slaps his forehead and swallows hard, and then sends Dampier and a second filler contract and the other stuff to Miami.

Some comments on this scenario:

New York is powerless here. They can't offer more money than Dallas, and their team simply isn't as good as the Mavericks.
Miami can nix this whole scenario, but why would they? They would be facing what Dallas did when Steve Nash left--nothing in return for losing a star player.

The results:

Wade joins Dallas.
Dallas' payroll goes into the stratosphere.
Dampier and a scrub joins Miami and both are cut.
Miami gets cash and draft picks and the same cap room they would have had if Wade left for nothing.
New York gets nothing.

Now, how realistic is this scenario? What exactly needs to happen for it to become a reality? Isn't this just a pipe dream? Answers after the jump.

What makes this a realistic scenario for the Mavs is the unique nature of two things: The Mavs can offer max money, and they can offer a roster that would contend for a title. However, there are nuances here that make things tricky. Let's look at them now.

For the Dampier chip to work, it must start with a player willing to take less money elsewhere to play for a contender (which is always a dicey proposition). That, to me, is the biggest drawback of this scenario. Of course, that's also what makes it good for Dallas, so there you go.

Here's what I mean, using Wade again:

Let's assume Wade wants the $$$ first and foremost. His second criteria is playing for a contender. In the NBA, this is always a pretty safe assumption unless you're talking about 30+ guys at the end of their careers. Let's also make the assumption that Wade's agent knows about the Dampier contract S&T possibilities. Actually, don't assume this: They WILL know about it.
New York or one of the other teams with massive cap room comes to Wade and offers him the max. Miami says, "We'll give you that PLUS the extra year, which is MORE money!" Wade doesn't want to play for a crap team like New York but he DOES want the $$$$. He also doesn't want to play for a crap team like Miami, but Miami is at least offering more $$$$. Hrm, his agent is thinking he can call in the Dampier chip. That gives Wade EVERYTHING he wants. Let's pause and be clear here: There is only ONE scenario that gives Wade everything he wants: Dallas.
However, for the Dampier contract to work, Wade has to illustrate to Miami that he is clearly willing to leave Miami for New York's lower $$$ offer. Because if Miami thinks Wade is bluffing and really just wants the money then they'll just make the max offer in a "take it or leave it" fashion. The Dampier chip actually hurts their negotiating position at keeping Wade, because now they aren't the only team that can pay Wade max $$$. However, THEY are the ones in control of making that happen.
And here's where the trouble lies: If Miami thinks that Wade is all about the Benjamins, then they hold all the cards. They do NOT have to play ball with Dallas if they think Wade won't leave to take less money. So the player must make it clear that he'd leave for less money.

The Mavs are in excellent position if the teams looking to re-sign their big name free agents in 2010 honestly feel that they are going to lose them to another team. Actually, in that scenario, the Mavs aren't just in an excellent position, they are in a better position than EVERY team with massive cap space. Excluding their existing teams, Dallas is the only club that can offer free agents max money and a contender as a destination.

In the future, a good way to examine how this plays out is to look at what the players are saying. If a player starts saying that he wants to play for a contender and that he is withholding his 2010 decision until he sees what his current team does in terms of building a contender, then you have a good indication that the Dampier chip can be put in play.

Stay tuned.

Jason Kidd has given the Dallas Mavericks a verbal commitment that he will re-sign with the team...

2009-07-06T03:37:32Z

Jason Kidd has given the Dallas Mavericks a verbal commitment that he will re-sign with the team Wednesday, according to NBA front-office sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that Kidd, 36, will receive a 3-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth in excess of $25 million.

Sources: Jason Kidd pledges to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks - ESPN

Happy Fourth of July Weekend

2009-07-03T22:10:19Z

Hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend.

Free Agent Rumor Roundup

2009-07-02T14:06:18Z

Jason Kidd

AP: Knicks meet with Kidd, but make no contract offer
Kidd and his agent met with Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, the first day of free agency. Walsh told reporters that no contract offer was made to Kidd, who is exploring his options.

DB.com: Cuban 'Optimistic' As Mavs 'Work On The Details'
Rules preclude the offer from being more than three years; the one-year MLE deals that the Knicks and others might offer will be worth a fourth of what Dallas can guarantee; the declines in salaries and the non-guaranteed final year allow Dallas to avoid losing an asset for nothing while at the same time retaining some financial elbow room as Kidd ages.

Marcin Gortat

DB.com: Polish Media Links The Mavs With 'The Hammer' -
*He is absolutely on the Mavs� wish list. � and very likely on Mark Cuban�s travel itinerary as soon as he�s done courting Jason Kidd. *He almost certainly has an offer or two on the table. Houston is the lead-pipe cinch to be one of those bidders, and the Mavs cannot be far behind. That bid figures to be at the MLE.

Rockets, Mavs making push for Magic's Gortat
Gortat is one of the few true centers among this summer's crop of free agents, and the Rockets aren't the only team interested. The Mavericks jumped into the mix Wednesday, too, sending coach Rick Carlisle to handle some of the recruiting. Dallas is looking for a big man to back up starter Erick Dampier, though Dampier's expiring contract makes him a juicy trade target this offseason. The Mavericks may be dangling a bigger role for Gortat, either right away or by the start of the next season.

Quentin Ross

DMN: Dallas Mavericks making pitch to former SMU, Kimball star
the Mavericks started this year's free-agent season by making a strong pitch to Quinton Ross, the former SMU and Kimball High School standout. While owner Mark Cuban was wining and dining Jason Kidd in New York during the first hours after free agency opened, coach Rick Carlisle and president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson were meeting with Ross in Dallas.

Ron Artest

NBA.com: Agent: Artest mulling options in free agency
he Rockets star forward, an unrestricted free agent, will consider a team's chances of winning an NBA championship when deciding where he'll bring his skills next season, his agent says. David Bauman said Wednesday that his client would like to return to Houston, but Artest would also think about signing with a contending team

DB.com: Ron Artest Says 'Goodbye' To Houston. ...
Are the Mavs players here? That’s entirely up to the whims of the player. If Artest’s tweet expresses his true feelings, it puts any contender with a sales pitch in the picture. Rick Carlisle once dealt with Artest in Indy and would be willing to do so again.

SLAM ONLINE | Ron Artest’s Twitter Gaffe
alarm. A message attributed to Artest — ‘THANKS A LOT HOUSTON I HAD A LOT OF FUN.’ — appeared on Twitter late Wednesday. Artest’s agent, David Bauman, said that the message was sent by an imposter. ‘That is not Ron’s account,’ Bauman said. ‘That’s what happens with the so-called new media.’

Trevor Ariza

Sources: Trevor Ariza leaning toward leaving Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN
The 24-year-old swingman, who played a key role in the Lakers' run to their 15th NBA championship, is on the verge of leaving the club, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday. With at least five teams pursuing Ariza, the Lakers are currently unwilling to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception.

Charlie Villanueva

ESPN: Pistons agree with both Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva
Former Bulls guard Gordon will receive a five-year, $55 million deal, while former Bucks forward Villanueva gets a five-year deal for $40 million, sources told ESPN.com's Chris Broussard.

James Singleton

He's an unrestricted free agent, but was out doing stuff for the Mavs in the community yesterday.

KIDS CAMP - friends.mavs.com
James Singleton talks to Dallas Mavericks Hoop Campers today at Richland Community College.

Brandon Bass

Hornets in the hunt for former LSU star Brandon Bass
One of those teams interested in Bass is none other than New Orleans, the same team with the same coach who, after drafting the former LSU star in 2005, barely gave him an opportunity to play. "When I was coming out of high school, no matter what the Hornets offered me, I would have been there," Bass said. "I grew out of being a homeboy. I’d go other places. They’ve got a good team down there and if everything falls in line like it’s supposed to, I’d love to be back in New Orleans."

While Turkoglu is set adrift, Magic go fishing for Bass - OrlandoSentinel.com
You couldn't call a $118 million contract a goodwill gesture, but maybe the Orlando Magic's generosity toward Rashard Lewis' agent two summers ago will give them an edge in signing promising power forward Brandon Bass. Like Lewis, he is represented by Tony Dutt, who told the Sentinel on Wednesday that the Magic had contacted Bass, 24, on the opening day of NBA free agency. "Yes, I did speak to [Magic General Manager] Otis Smith and they did show interest in Brandon," Dutt said.

D-George staying with Mavs

2009-06-30T17:19:44Z

D-George staying with Mavs

The agent for Devean George said this morning that the 6-8 swingman has exercised his player option to remain with the Mavericks for next season.

That means George will be under contract for 2009-10 for $1.6 million.

Tuesday Morning Roundup

2009-06-30T15:08:45Z

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

Mr. Popular

Browse more photos »

Who Knew Nick Calathes Was This Good | Dime Magazine

"With former point guards such as Jason Williams, Teddy Dupay and Taurean Green, Calathes ranks third in Gator history in career assists after just two years, breaking the records for assists and assists per game in each of his first two years - 221 as a freshman (6.1 apg) and 231 (6.4 apg) as a sophomore.

That’s why in a PG heavy Draft, I understood Calathes heading overseas to play in the Greek A1 League with the elite Euroleague champion club Panathinaikos Athens. Making around €2.1 million euros net income over three years, in addition to providing him with a home, car, tax credits, and endorsements, Calathes was getting hooked up

But what I didn’t understand was why Calathes dropped all the way down to the Timberwolves with the 45th pick in the second round before being traded to the Mavericks for a 2010 second round draft pick and cash. In a couple years, that could be one of the best trades Mark Cuban ever made."

Nuggets' Martin says 'everything's fine' between him, Cuban
"He reached out to me," Martin said. "I didn't reach out to him. "But he reached out, and I'll leave it behind. It wasn't negative. Everything's fine. It's over.

DMN: Kidd the big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper, too
"Brandon likes Dallas and appreciates the Mavericks," agent Tony Dutt said. "He will certainly look at that, but he will look at other options, too. I'm pretty comfortable in saying he's going to get a ton of interest." Bass will be seeking the mid-level exception. Because he has been with the Mavericks for two seasons, they can offer him any annual salary up to the exception without actually using their exception.

DMN Blog: Kidd Being Recruited in New York
Word has it that Mark Cuban will be in New York at midnight tonight to start the process of conveying the Mavericks' interest in retaining the free agent. This should be viewed as a sign of just how important retaining Kidd is. The Mavericks are making him their No. 1 priority - before Rasheed Wallace or Charlie Villanueva or Ben Gordon or anybody else.

Yao's career in jeopardy?

2009-06-29T18:21:38Z

“It sounds like he’s missing most of next season, if not the entire 82 games,” one league executive who has had recent discussions with the Houston front office told Yahoo! Sports. “That’s all that [the Rockets] will concede quietly, but they know it’s probably much worse.”

The Rockets and Yao’s reps are frightened over his future, and the concern is the most base of all: Does Yao Ming ever play again?

I know they are a rival and all that but this would suck. Only so much grind you can put on a 7'6 frame before it gives out. I hope this is not true.

Link

Monday Morning Links

2009-06-29T14:25:04Z

DB.com's Morning Donuts
*Through 6/30 ...trades are allowed, can't talk to free agents about a contract because free-agents-to-be are still considered under contract with their old team through June 30

*7/1 - 7/7 ....free agent negotiations can begin, trade talks can occur, but teams can't announce any business because nothing can be signed or locked in because of the moratorium, so there will be lots of talks and rumors and "a source said a deal is agreed" that get leaked

*7/8 on ... new cap is now defined and free agents can be signed, trades can be made

Dallas Mavericks' Kidd expected to have plenty of suitors
Wednesday is when teams officially can begin talking to free agents, and Kidd is expected to get overtures from several teams: Cleveland, Portland, Boston, New York and perhaps the Lakers. All of those teams except for Portland are stymied by the salary cap.

DMN.com: Cuban explains the double PG selection
"It used to be you tried to accumulate as many big [men] as you could," Cuban said. "It's kind of flipped around now. You can't have enough quick guards who can get into the paint and defend. "This isn't a reflection on Jason Kidd. We're still going to do everything we can to sign him. It's not a reflection on J.J. [Barea].

Interview with Josh Howard who is in NC for his annual camp.

DB.com with the mother of all rumor articles.
Veteran PGs like Raymond Felton or Ramon Sessions to Dallas? The Mavs like them both. But if you are trying to retain Kidd, are trying to show faith in JJB and are trying to develop Roddy Beaubois, I’m not sure how you convince Ramon Sessions (who might be getting squeezed out in Milwaukee) that you have enough love to go around.

French point guard says Dallas is where he wanted to play
"But when they told me I was supposed to go to Dallas, I was happier because I really like this team and this city. I really appreciate this." So are we to assume Oklahoma City, which drafted Beaubois for the Mavericks, wasn't high on his wish list. "No," he quickly said.

Pro Basketball News | Shopping for a bargain
If Dahntay Jones' asking price is too high, Denver may be a good spot for [Gerald] Green, who won't command much more than the $826,000 he made last season.

Let the NBA free-agent madness begin - ESPN Chicago
Jason Kidd to NY?: That's the buzz around the NBA, but I don't see the Knicks offering more than just a one-year deal unless Kidd goes to them on the cheap and why would he?

Rodrigue Beaubois & Ahmad Nivins Press Conference

2009-06-27T23:31:18Z

Mike Wells reports today that the Indiana Pacers won't pick up the $7.5 million team option to keep...

2009-06-27T02:28:50Z

Mike Wells reports today that the Indiana Pacers won't pick up the $7.5 million team option to keep Marquis Daniels on the roster. Quisy will now become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.

Marquis Daniels Won't Be Back With Pacers - Indy Cornrows

Friday Draft Links

2009-06-26T19:09:02Z

More photos » by David Vincent - AP

FILE - In this photograph taken on Oct. 21, 2007, basketball player Rodrigue Beaubois passes the ball during a French basketball league match against Dijon in Cholet, western France. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

Browse more photos »

DMN Blog on Beaubois
Just got off the phone with ESPN's Fran Fraschilla who had this to say about Rodrigue Beaubois: "If he was drafted out of Kansas or Texas, Mavericks fans would be holding a block party today."

2009 NBA Draft: Best and worst dressed - Ball Don't Lie
Best Accessories: Rodrigue Beaubois(notes), Oklahoma City Thunder (traded to Dallas), No. 25 Like the watch and pocket square; love the tiny French flag accent on the cuffs. Très excellent!

Dallas Basketball - Breaks down the trades

Step 1 -- Trade No. 22 down to Portland for No. 24, and No. 56, plus Portland's second-rounder in 2010.

Step 2 'Trade No. 24 down to OKC for No. 25 and OKC's second-rounder in 2010.

Step 3 Trade Portland's No. 2 in 2010 plus cash for Minnesota's No. 45. Then. Turn No. 25 into Rodrigue Beaubois, turn No. 45 into Nick Calathes and turn No. 56 into Ahmad Nivins while still retaining OKC's second-rounder in 2010.

DMN Dallas Mavericks - Nelson on Beaubois
"He was milliseconds behind Devin Harris," Nelson said of Beaubois' performance in some of the pre-draft visit tests to measure quickness. "He's just starting to scratch the surface."

Chad Ford Gives Mavs B-
Analysis: I like the Mavericks' second-round picks more than their first-rounder. I'd be willing to bet Calathes becomes a much better player than Beaubois, both in Europe and in the NBA, and Nivins is an up-and-comer. I am not sold on Beaubois and think Toney Douglas would have been a better pick here.

Bill Simmons' 13th annual NBA Draft Diary
B.J. Mullens (this year's token white center who will bounce around for eight years without ever making a dent) to Dallas; Rodrigue Beaubois (the French Leandro Barbosa) to the Zombies

Chad Ford says the Hornets really wanted Mullens
The Mavs are trading this pick to the Thunder for No. 25 and a future second-round pick. The Thunder have been looking to get Mullens for weeks and tried to get up as high as No. 14 to get him. Clearly, Sam Presti sees something he likes. Mullens reminds me a lot of a young Darko Milicic, for both good and bad -- he's skilled and athletic, but he doesn't really know how to play.

Mavericks' Carlisle compares point guard to Celtics' Rondo
"You'll probably hear rumors that he'll stay in Europe, but that's not the plan at all," Carlisle said. "The whole thing went absolutely as we had prepared for. We targeted a guy that we wanted and we felt we could get him a little lower than our pick. "He's a dynamic athlete. He just looks like a basketball player with his length." Carlisle compared Beaubois to Boston point guard Rajon Rondo. And Beaubois said he has heard that comparison, too. He does not consider himself comparable to fellow Frenchman Tony Parker

Dallas Mavericks gamble they'll make noise in free agency
"Wait," said president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson. "One shouldn't confuse silence with inactivity. We're prepared for a very active summer." That's tough to do when you see the rest of the league upgrading in the arms race at a rapid pace.

YouTube Scouting Mavs Pick Rodrigue Beaubois

2009-06-26T02:22:14Z

He's definitely fast and appears (highlight film warning) to have NBA range.

NBA Draft Open Thread

2009-06-25T23:24:12Z

Discuss the draft here.

Let's get lucky.

Nick Calathes the Target at 24?

2009-06-25T23:22:31Z

Draft Express is hearing that the Mavs target with the 24th pick is Florida PG Nick Calathes.

We're receiving some indications that the Dallas Mavericks are still in hot pursuit of Greek-bound Nick Calathes with the #24 pick. Owner Mark Cuban and head coach Rick Carlisle are both fans of the big point guard, and appear to be willing to wait a year until signing him. There is a school of thought that Calathes may be able to get out of his contract with Panathinaikos and play for the Mavs this year already, possibly with a buyout, but we're not sure of how accurate that is...

...Sacramento likes Calathes at 23, but appears to be leaning in other directions, although that could change.

Mike Fisher has also heard that the Mavs' really like him'. This goes along with the quotes yesterday that Dallas thinks they can get their guy at 24, because I don't think I've seen a mock that has Calathes going higher than 22. Chad Ford currently has him at 26 to Chicago.

Knicks purchase 29th pick from Lakers for $3 Million

2009-06-25T18:34:52Z

Knicks purchase 29th pick from Lakers for $3 Million

Mavs Trade Down to 24: Links and Thoughts

2009-06-25T02:53:14Z

More photos » by Chuck Burton - AP

Jeff Teague, future Mav?

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Take that San Antonio. We'll see your Richard Jefferson and raise you two second round picks.

In case you missed it, the deal is now official.

The Portland Trail Blazers dipped into their collection of picks in the NBA draft, acquiring No. 22 from the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday in exchange for No. 24 and two second-rounders.

Dallas now has the 56th pick in this years draft, giving them one pick in the second round as opposed to none. They also receive the lower of Chicago's or Portland's second rounders next year.

Donnie Nelson and Mark Cuban have both said the reason they made the trade is because they feel the player(s) they like will still be there at 24. And from that stand point, I'm 100% on board with this deal. Dallas is better off with these two second rounders than they were without them. And even though the chance either amounts to anything is slim, at least there's a chance. My only question is did they really have to get these two picks back in return?

The Trailblazers are loaded full of second round picks and it was a given they would trade some. They had the 33rd, 38th, 55th, and 56th pick in this years draft in addition to their two second rounders next year. The Mavs managed to get their lowest picks in '09 and '10. Does Portland say no if Dallas asks for the 55th and the higher of next years two picks? I can't imagine Dallas didn't ask, so I guess we know the answer. I suppose the low cost for moving up two spots in the first round only illustrates the perceived parity in this years draft.

"It's just two spots, and we're still going to get the guy we like," Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "The depth of the second tier in this year's draft has given us the opportunity to trade down, pick up two second-round picks and not lose ground in terms of talent."

"After 10 to 12, it's such an eye-of-the-beholder deal," team president Donnie Nelson said recently. "There are going to be guys that someone likes at 25 and someone else likes him at 13."

There is a lot of speculation that Portland traded up to grab Israeli SF Omri Casspi, who is someone I don't think the Mavs would have had a lot of interest in. If that's the case, and Dallas knows it, then they are essentially only moving down one spot.

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The Lakers are planning to get rid of their first round pick, 29th overall.

General manager Mitch Kupchak said Wednesday that there was a "better than even likelihood" the team would get rid of its first-round pick.

The Lakers are hopeful they will re-sign Trevor Ariza, Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom, all of whom become unrestricted free agents on July 1. If so, that would bring the roster to the league-minimum 13 players, making it unlikely the team would add another player.

I'll take that to mean the pick is for sale.

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John Hollinger has updated his mock draft and now has Dallas getting Jeff Teague at 24 with Eric Maynor still on the board as well.

This would be a pretty big slide for Teague, who thought his floor was No. 19. Actually, he could go as high as No. 10, so his range is pretty wide. Dallas would be doing backflips to get him here, and, as it happens, he's got some Devin Harris in his game.

At 56, which is total guesswork, he has Dallas taking Bosnian center Goran Suton who played four years at Michigan State. He's 6'10", unatheltic, prefers jump shots to posting up, and will already be 24 at the start of next season. Pass!

Mavs trade No. 22 for three picks

2009-06-24T21:13:38Z

Mavs trade No. 22 for three picks

The Portland TrailBlazers acquired the 22nd pick in Thursday's NBA draft from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the 24th and 56th picks in this year's draft, and worst of their second round picks in 2010, according to a league source.

The trade has been agreed to in principle by the two teams. It should be finalized by the league office later today.

BDL 2009 NBA Mock Draft: Pick No. 22, Mavericks

2009-06-24T15:39:36Z

BDL 2009 NBA Mock Draft: Pick No. 22, Mavericks

I went a different route this time...