Any day now, Dirk Nowitzki likely will join LeBron James as a former MVP on the free agent market.
The Dallas Mavericks are confident the greatest player in franchise history isn't going anywhere. Then again, they also thought Steve Nash was going to stay the summer he signed with Phoenix.
So expect the Mavs to tread with caution during the NBA draft.
While the club is looking into moving up from a lone pick at No. 50, it seems unlikely Dallas would make a blockbuster deal.
The Mavericks need to keep their best trading chips so they can be ready for whatever happens in free agency -- from their dream of getting James to play alongside Nowitzki to their doomsday scenario of having to replace the big German.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
