Mavs plan to keep eyes open (DMN-Sefko)

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Mavs plan to keep eyes open at predraft camp

04:11 AM CDT on Tuesday, June 7, 2005

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

Donnie Nelson will lead a large Mavericks delegation to Chicago for the NBA's annual predraft camp, which begins today.

And although there will be a lot of effort put into sorting out the army of talent, it may be little more than busy work for the Mavericks.

"I sort of feel like I'm studying for a test I'll never take," Nelson said Monday.
That's because the Mavericks do not have a draft pick. Their first-round choice belongs to Utah for acquiring Pavel Podkolzin last year. Their second-round pick was dealt away in the Darrell Armstrong trade.

Just because the Mavericks have no picks doesn't mean they can't accomplish things in Chicago. In 2003, a young swingman by the name of Marquis Daniels caught their eye there, and he ended up being a steal as an undrafted free agent later in the summer.

However, the Mavericks believe they have a chance to win a championship in the next few seasons. Getting young projects runs counter to that thought process.

"We'll be aware of what's going on out there," Nelson said. "We're not afraid to take on a young player, but because we have a couple of sophomores and a couple of guys who are coming off their rookie seasons, we have to weigh how much another young guy can help us. Right now, our focus is getting deeper in the playoffs and capturing the ultimate prize."

Along with Nelson, the Mavericks' scouts, along with assistant GM Keith Grant and most of the coaching staff, will be in Chicago.

Countdown to the Global Games: The Mavericks again will host the Coca-Cola Global Games during the last week of July.
"We've got a great group of teams lined up," Nelson said. "It should be our best event yet."

The games feature junior teams from numerous countries. Many of the alumni from the event are playing for NBA teams.

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