The NBA held the draft on Thursday and Dallas selected 3 players (though 2
of them came through arranged trades [the team told the other team whom to
select and then the rights to that player were traded]).  The Mavs got
going a day early by trading the #22 pick to Portland on Wednesday for the
#24 draft pick, the #56 draft pick, and Portland's lowest 2nd round draft
pick in 2010 [this pick would be traded on Thursday].  The #24 pick came
and it was announced that B.J. Mullens was selected (with some groans in
the press room), but soon came word that Dallas had traded the rights to
that player to Oklahoma City for the #25 pick and a future 2nd round draft
pick.  Oklahoma City had selected Rodrigue Beaubois at #25 at Dallas'
direction.  The Mavs said that Beaubois is the player that they had
targeted all along, but felt that they could get him later than their
original #22 pick and pick up a couple of extra chips [as well as saving a
little bit of money] by moving down.  Though listed in the NBA Draft Media
Guide at 6-0, Rick Carlisle said that he listed at 6-3 when the Mavs had
him in to work out and that he has a 6-10 wingspan.  Beaubois was born in
Guadeloupe (the same country Mickael Pietrus is from; Pietrus
"discovered" Beaubois in a basketball camp) and has been playing
basketball for the past 4 years in France - he has been playing basketball
since he was 8 years old (so, he didn't pick up the game late).  Carlisle
also said that Beaubois' speed is similar to Devin Harris' in that
Beaubois finished just a shade behind Harris' time in a speed drill [with
Harris holding the team record].  Both Carlisle and Donnie Nelson praised
Beaubois' athletism and called him a high energy player.  That doesn't
mean that the team expects him to come in and make a splash.  Both said he
needs development.  But both emphasized that he will be in Dallas this
season - no stashing him in Europe for a season, no contract issues with
his European team, and the team plans on him participating in the summer
league.  Some reporters tried to get Beaubois to compare himself to Rajon
Rondo and Tony Parker, but Beaubois politely declined to make the
comparisons.  
[Note: the stats for Beaubois on NBA.com's draft page are incorrect.
European stats list 2pt FG and 3pt FG separate and they just copied that
without combining the 2pt and 3pt shooting for the FG (which is what the
NBA lists).  So, he didn't shot 63.3% FG in 08-09, but shot 47.2%
(115-243) FG including 31.7 (39-123) 3-pointers.  I've got his stats at
http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/mavs/mavs-stats/current-players/beaubois_r
(with the French league stats from www.lnb.fr - not sure about blocks,
though, as I had fun trying to figure out the French abbreviations).]

Dallas kept the #56 pick and used it to select Ahmad Nivins, a 6-9 forward
from St. Joseph's.  Nivins stayed in college all 4 years and was the
Atlantic 10 Player of the Year as a senior as he averaged 19.2 points and
11.8 rebounds.  He will also participate in Dallas' summer league.

And announced late, Dallas traded the 2010 Portland 2nd round pick to
Minnesota for the rights to #45 Nick Calathes.  Donnie Nelson sounded
really excited to get Calathes, especially for so little, and said that he
was a 1st round talent.  He is signed for next season with Maroussi of the
Greek league, which is probably why some teams passed on him.  Calathes is
a 6-6 guard (Nelson said he can play both point and shooting) who came out
after his sophomore year at Florida.  Obviously with his contract with
Maroussi, he won't be participating in the summer league.


Quotes
Rick Carlisle on the players Dallas drafted: "They're the kind of guys we
want to have in our franchise - young, energetic, guys that bring skill,
athleticism, and enthusiasm.  We're a team that's looking to win a
championship on one hand, but also infuse young talent and guys that are
about the things that we feel are important."

Short ones on Beaubois from Carlisle that I doodled during the press
conference (after the Beaubois pick, but before the 2nd round picks): 
Dynamic athletism.
High energy - important.
Only tapped into part of his potential - didn't like using word potential
though as it usually has negative attributes.
Phenomenal athlete, leaping ability.
"He looks like a basketball player."
"This was the way we wanted to go."
"He's going to learn an awful lot in a short period of time."
"We had Beaubois targeted really from the beginning."


Donnie Nelson: "We could not be happier with the addition of Rodrigue.
His dynamic athleticism will ad versatility and energy to our backcourt.
He was one of the highest rated athletes in this draft."

Nelson on Beaubois (short press conference as most of the media had left):
"Cat quick."
"The NBA is very kind to athletes and he is a big time athlete."

Nelson on Nivins: "Ahmad was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and a
member of the All-Defensive team.  He is a great rebounder and shot
blocker that has improved every year."

Nelson on Calathes: "We are extremely fortunate to be in a position to
acquire Nick from the Timberwolves.  He is a terrific you prospect with an
excellent upside."


Rodrigue Beaubois: "I've waited for this moment a long time.  When they
called my name, I was way happy because I waited so long.  But when they
told me I was supposed to go to Dallas, I was happier because I really
like this team and this city.  I really appreciate this."


Next up is the free agency date on July 1 - 08-09 contracts officially end
and players become free agents.  Teams can start negotiating with free
agents, but can not sign them until after the July Moratorium ends July 8.
Jason Kidd, Brandon Bass, James Singleton, Ryan Hollins, Gerald Green, and
Devean George (if he opts out) are Dallas free agents.  Dallas also holds
a valuable trading chip in Jerry Stackhouse - his trade value is a little
over $7 million, but his contract can be bought out for just $2 million.


patricia