[quietsavant]

I take this with a grain of salt of course

Nelson: Expect Plenty Of Trades

The Dallas Mavericks currently own the 22nd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, but don't be surprised if they wind up making a move. Mavs GM Donnie Nelson told us today that he is actively seeking a way to move up.

"We think we're going to get something good at 22. It's a good area. That being said, we're real active (in trade talks), as we are every draft. We're looking to trade up, trade down, trade all around, as far as the pick goes. But it's a decent area and we feel like we can get something good down there."

Wherever the Mavs end up making their first round pick, they feel they can address a need. For one thing, they are in need of depth at every position, though point guard might be a stretch.

"I don't know that you can address a certain position when it gets down to 22," says Nelson. "We're hoping for another Josh Howard moment, but we feel like we're going to get something down there that we like. We need back-up everything - 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Obviously free agency could impact that, so that means we'd like to get all of our guys back, and it means that at 22 we'll probably grab just the best player."

The one constant among league executives this summer has been the belief that there is a certain plateau in the talent level of the 2009 draft class. Many have told us that between the third pick and the 23rd pick there won't be a huge gap in talent. Nelson defined it a little differently, and then went on to say he believes there will be a lot of trade activity going on during the draft.

"I'd say if you're talking to the average GM out there, there's probably a line after #1, a second line after 5 or so, and then a third line between 10 and 12, and then after that you can get the same guy at 22 as you do at 15. Our strategy is being knowledgeable about everything at all times and being ready. I think there's going to be a lot of activity in this draft; not just trading up and down, but also there will be some attached player transactions, as well. We want to make sure that when and if we pull the trigger on a trade that it will be for the right reasons."

In a time when many teams are looking to cut costs, the Mavericks are much more concerned about getting Dirk Nowitzki back into the NBA Finals. Don't be surprised if they make a major move toward that end on draft day next week.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12989