Mavericks Set For Curious Draft
Dallas looks to be after a point guard in the first round of what has been called the weakest draft class in years
By SCOTT M. CRISP
Updated 11:00 AM CST, Thu, Jun 25, 2009
Before the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns guaranteed themselves heavy billing on sports news program for (at least) the next week, exchanging all stars that are probably past their prime, the Dallas Mavericks were doing some dealing of their own.
A bit boring, no doubt, but dealing none the less.
Dallas’s trade, which sent the No. 22 overall pick to the Trailblazers in exchange for the No. 24 overall pick and two second round picks over the next two drafts, seems to be a good, albeit ultimately forgettable move.
Insiders have tirelessly called this draft the worst, in terms of talent, of the last decade or so.
In a statement, 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."
"This will give us added flexibility for the future."
Nelson would go on to add, "It's just two spots and we're still going to get the guy we like.''
The guy Dallas likes is a mystery, at this point, although there is fair reason to believe it is Eric Maynor, a point guard out of Virginia Commonwealth University. He is said to have all the tools necessary to be a difference-maker in the NBA in fairly short order; detractors cite his college competition -- or lack thereof -- as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.
However, proponents argue that his best games came against big-time programs.
Dallas Morning News’ Eddie Sefko has Maynor sliding to Dallas at No. 24.
Perhaps precipitating Wednesday’s move was the fact that this draft class -- the first round, in particular, is loaded with point guards.
Other players in which Dallas had interest were UNC’s Ty Lawson, UCLA’s Darren Collison and Wake Forest’s Jeff Teague, although given the trade, the subsequent remarks and the Mavericks position in the draft, Maynor seems to be the safe bet at this juncture.
In what has been called the craziest, least talented and least predictable draft in years, though, Dallas will likely continue to deal behind the scenes up until 6:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, when the NBA Draft commences.
Copyright NBC Local Media
First Published: Jun 25, 2009 10:19 AM CST
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