Dallas-Mavs.com Forums - View Single Post - dallas could move into middle of first round

dayman · 06-21-2010, 09:50 PM

Source: Mavericks could trade into middle of 1st round
08:46 PM CDT on Monday, June 21, 2010

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com
While the Mavericks are making a concerted effort to move up in Thursday's NBA draft, they are not limiting their pursuit to merely improving their second-round position.

There is a possibility the Mavericks could wiggle into the middle of the first round, a league source said, because there are teams drafting in that area that might relinquish their pick if they can get rid of a salaried player with it.

The intent for those teams would be to get salary cap relief to perhaps be stronger players in the free-agent frenzy that begins July 1, or to avoid paying any luxury tax.

For instance, the source said, if the Mavericks were willing to take a player back, it would be a financial windfall for the other team and net the Mavericks a pick and a player. The player coming to the Mavericks would have to fit into their trade exception (about $2.4 million) acquired in the Kris Humphries trade with New Jersey last season.

If such a move gets the Mavericks into the top 20, it's an area that could produce value in a relatively deep draft. Currently, they own only the No. 50 overall pick.

"We're active as always and we're in the mix on a number of situations," president Donnie Nelson said without getting into any specifics. "If the opportunity presents itself, we'll squeeze the trigger."

Another scenario is that the Mavericks could buy their way into the early portion of the second round. Several teams are considering this avenue because, while it could cost as much as $1.5 million, it still would be cheaper than trying to get into the first round because a second-round pick does not require a two- or three-year commitment.

There's a sizeable difference most seasons between picking in the first round and in the second. However, many talent evaluators believe the depth in this year's draft means that the first 10 picks of the second round could be equal in talent to the last 10 picks of the first round.

Even last season, the second round was productive. Of the 30 players chosen in the 2009 second round, 17 played in the NBA and 11 others still have their rights owned by NBA teams. Only two – Goran Suton (50th) and Jack McClinton (51st) – were cut in training camp.

The Mavericks have not hit on a second-round draft pick since Greg Buckner in 1998. However, they have had good luck late in the first round with picks such as Josh Howard and Roddy Beaubois.

What to expect at No. 50

If the Mavericks stay put with the 50th overall pick, here's the sort of players they could get.

Players taken with the 50th pick in the last five drafts.

Year Player Ht. School
2009 Goran Suton 6-10 Michigan St.
Comment: Yugoslavian played last season in Russia
2008 DeVon Hardin 6-11 California
Comment: No NBA experience, but played in the D-League
2007 Renaldas Seibutis 6-5 Lithuania
Comment: Been in Spain since Mavs drafted him
2006 Ryan Hollins 7-0 UCLA
Comment: Has bounced around the league as a stopgap center
2005 Ryan Gomes 6-7 Providence
Comment: A fairly solid career playing for poor teams

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...e.109ea24.html

06-21-2010, 09:50 PM	#1
dayman Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: marietta, OK Posts: 58	dallas could move into middle of first round Source: Mavericks could trade into middle of 1st round 08:46 PM CDT on Monday, June 21, 2010 By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News esefko@dallasnews.com While the Mavericks are making a concerted effort to move up in Thursday's NBA draft, they are not limiting their pursuit to merely improving their second-round position. There is a possibility the Mavericks could wiggle into the middle of the first round, a league source said, because there are teams drafting in that area that might relinquish their pick if they can get rid of a salaried player with it. The intent for those teams would be to get salary cap relief to perhaps be stronger players in the free-agent frenzy that begins July 1, or to avoid paying any luxury tax. For instance, the source said, if the Mavericks were willing to take a player back, it would be a financial windfall for the other team and net the Mavericks a pick and a player. The player coming to the Mavericks would have to fit into their trade exception (about $2.4 million) acquired in the Kris Humphries trade with New Jersey last season. If such a move gets the Mavericks into the top 20, it's an area that could produce value in a relatively deep draft. Currently, they own only the No. 50 overall pick. "We're active as always and we're in the mix on a number of situations," president Donnie Nelson said without getting into any specifics. "If the opportunity presents itself, we'll squeeze the trigger." Another scenario is that the Mavericks could buy their way into the early portion of the second round. Several teams are considering this avenue because, while it could cost as much as $1.5 million, it still would be cheaper than trying to get into the first round because a second-round pick does not require a two- or three-year commitment. There's a sizeable difference most seasons between picking in the first round and in the second. However, many talent evaluators believe the depth in this year's draft means that the first 10 picks of the second round could be equal in talent to the last 10 picks of the first round. Even last season, the second round was productive. Of the 30 players chosen in the 2009 second round, 17 played in the NBA and 11 others still have their rights owned by NBA teams. Only two – Goran Suton (50th) and Jack McClinton (51st) – were cut in training camp. The Mavericks have not hit on a second-round draft pick since Greg Buckner in 1998. However, they have had good luck late in the first round with picks such as Josh Howard and Roddy Beaubois. What to expect at No. 50 If the Mavericks stay put with the 50th overall pick, here's the sort of players they could get. Players taken with the 50th pick in the last five drafts. Year Player Ht. School 2009 Goran Suton 6-10 Michigan St. Comment: Yugoslavian played last season in Russia 2008 DeVon Hardin 6-11 California Comment: No NBA experience, but played in the D-League 2007 Renaldas Seibutis 6-5 Lithuania Comment: Been in Spain since Mavs drafted him 2006 Ryan Hollins 7-0 UCLA Comment: Has bounced around the league as a stopgap center 2005 Ryan Gomes 6-7 Providence Comment: A fairly solid career playing for poor teams http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...e.109ea24.html __________________ I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am. You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us...... It's science.