Mavs Trade Down to 24 in Thursday's NBA Draft
NBA Draft kicks off Thursday night at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jun 25, 2009 | Updated 8:00 AM CST
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DENVER - MAY 03: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, reacts from behind the team bench as they face the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 109-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers dippped into their collection of draft picks to improve their top overall slot in the NBA draft, getting No. 22 from the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday in exchange for No. 24 and two second-rounders.
The Trail Blazers still have the 33rd, 38th and 55 picks in Thursday's draft.
Dallas, which didn't have a second-rounder this year, got the fourth of Portland's four second-rounders -- No. 56 overall, which is the fifth-to-last choice. The Mavericks also will get the worse of Portland's two second-rounders in 2010, its own or Chicago's.
Mavs owner explained the move in a post to his Twitter feed: "You never know when 2nd rd picks can come in handy."
Dallas was willing to move down because it figures one of the players it is eyeing will still be available just two spots later.
"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."
Posted Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 - 9:06 PM CST
