Dallas Mavericks ramping up for the draft and free agency

by Earl K. Sneed of Dallas Mavericks

With a veteran core and emerging youth in the backcourt, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle understands that the team is not looking to re-tool.

June is an interesting month for every NBA team.

Only two squads are playing in the finals. Meanwhile, 28 other organizations are sitting at home in front of the tube like everyone else -- with their minds on the upcoming draft and the most-discussed summer of free agency in league history. All are hoping to hoist up the Larry O'Brien trophy around this same time next year. The Dallas Mavericks are no different.

After the Mavericks' first-round playoff exit in six games to the San Antonio Spurs, the team immediately turned its attention to a busy and hectic summer. From making a push to bring in a top-tier free agent to re-signing in-house free-agents-to-be, the Mavs' front office figures to be very active in the coming months.

"We're working on a lot of things ... We have a lot of things in the works," president of basketball operations and GM Donnie Nelson simply would say in regard to the organization's summer plans.

But Nelson and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban have made it clear that they are willing to do whatever it takes to build a title contender in Big D. With a competitive spirit, Cuban and Nelson are actively exploring all options to help the Mavs reach their ultimate goal.

"Both Mark and management are determined to do whatever we have to do," Nelson said.

And while the Mavericks are sure to put on their best full-court press to attract a big-name free agent, they're also not overlooking the draft, which sits a little over three weeks away.

With no first-round pick, the organization is hopeful that they can find two steals in the second round. Armed with the 50th and 57th selections, the Mavericks are looking for young, talented players capable of stepping in and contributing -- players that can line up alongside future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, while also building a bond with first-year standout Rodrigue Beaubois and four-year guard J.J. Barea.

"The good thing is that we've got some good, young, exciting pieces -- coupled with the experience of Dirk and Jason (Kidd). We feel like with a couple of additions, we'll be right back in the thick of things next year," Nelson said.

But drafting in the second round can best be described as a "crapshoot," often times leading teams to select players that are looked at as projects with potential. With a veteran core and emerging youth in the backcourt, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle understands that the team is not looking to re-tool. Instead, the coach would like to bring in players with upside that can be a part of the team's future plans, while also lending a helping hand during a championship run next year.

"We've got to understand that this is something that's not going to happen over night," Carlisle said. "There's going to be growing pains, there's going to be ups and downs, but we're going to be steadfast in how we approach it."

With that said, the Mavericks have circled June 24 (the night of the NBA draft) and July 1 (the start of free agency) on their calender.