By David Lord and Mike Fisher -- DallasBasketball.com
The Mavs are pining for Shawn Bradley, scanning the waiver wire for the unemployed, and barely struggling to survive inside.
Time for a Who’s Who of potential interior aid.
Keep in mind a few things: The Mavs, crushed by the Bucks’ otherwise pedestrian interior attack in Friday’s loss and heavily reliant on the 31 points from pseudo-center Dirk Nowitzki in Saturday’s victory at home against Minnesota, are starting to whisper publicly about their concerns at center. The problems are deep enough that Nellie is moaning about the injury absence of Bradley, putting Shawn in the unlikely position of potential savior. The problems are deep enough that Donnie Nelson concedes the club might bring in a body off the street, with room being made available due to Eduardo Najera’s knee-related move to the injury list. The problems are deep enough that we’re willing to contemplate almost anyone. And the problems are deep enough that we’re thinking about now, about up to the trade deadline, about next summer. Whenever. To wit:
KURT THOMAS. 6-9, NY. Probable FA (opt out) at season's end. After the season, the Mavs will be limited to FAs available for the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) of about $5.5M, or less. If Thomas isn't acquired via a trade, might he be available within the Mavs' limits this summer? Regarding a trade, reportedly the Knicks want to move him now, and need a shooting guard. Thomas is gettable, and while his time as a Mav was somewhat controversial, the Nelsons’ relationship with him remains good. But. … is he really a center? Especially in the West?
THEO RATLIFF. 6-10, ATL. He offers the shot-blocking presence that the Mavs have needed, and the Hawks reportedly are looking for a way to jettison some contracts to move below Luxury Tax levels (Ratliff makes almost $11M). But with Dallas being far over the cap, finding a way within the trade mandates for him to land in Dallas, without sending salary back to Atlanta, would be highly problematic. And there is a fit question: Ratliff has overcome his rep as a guy with a history of injuries (he played 81 games last yar and all of them this year) and might be too defensive-oriented to avoid being a clog in the wheel.
NAZR MOHAMMED. 6-10, ATL. Is there a fire sale in Hotlanta? His name has been rumored in several trade scenarios for the last year, so he might be available. The hunch here is that Atlanta would be much more interested in moving Ratliff and keeping the more affordable Mohammed, who only costs $5M. The Hawks suck either way, right?
KWAME BROWN. 6-11, WASH.There are reports out of Washington that the Wizards may be willing to trade him before the break, having given up on him being a future star. If that's the case, could he be a possibility as "serviceable" in Dallas, where he wouldn't need to be a star? His contract is relatively cheap ($4.25M), offering easier trade possibilities. A very intriguing concept to basketball people, many of whom think he’s been mishandled in Washington and simply needs the right boss.
EDDY CURRY. 6-11, CHI. Along with Tyson Chandler (below), Chicago has two young big men with lingering potential, leading to the idea that Chicago may be willing to trade one away. The hunch here however is that Chicago will keep both and continue to try to develop them as a long-term tandem force. Biggest problem here is that if the Mavs get on the phone with Chicago, Tribune soap-opera writer Sam Smith will get on an extension and demand Michael Finley be dealt ‘home.’
TYSON CHANDLER. 7-0, CHI. (See Eddie Curry, above.) No truth to the rumor that Smith is about to write that Dallas might trade both Finley and fellow Chicagoland product Antoine Walker back to The Windy City in exchange for a bag of magic beans.
ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS. 7-3, CLE. He has the right size, and he has been mentioned in repeated trade rumors, even being linked with the Mavs in an Ilgauskas-Jamison potential scenario (which has been firmly denied on both ends, we should add). He slips in and out of the lineup in spite of a max salary, so even if Jamison is not being offered, this former All-Star bears watching as a possible trade acquisition. However, DB.com staffer Tim McDarby bolts into the luxury suite to remind us that Z is out of favor in Cleveland because, coach Paul Silas says, he can’t or won’t play defense. Hmm. Not quite the 7-3 guy we are looking for.
BEN WALLACE. 6-9, DET. With the drafting of Milicic and the emergence of Okur, there has been speculation that Wallace might be traded. As ex-Cowboy QB/DB.com drinking buddy Steve Beuerlein used to yell, ‘’Doubt!’’ Milicic isn’t developing that quickly, and Wallace is The Motor City’s No. 1 favorite jock. They trade him right after the Lions trade the rights to Barry Sanders.
ZELJKO REBRACA. 6-11, DET. FA at season's end. For Mavs fans, this may be an unheralded name to keep an eye on after the season. He is big and has some skills - he was a dominant center in Europe and has floated back and forth. He is not a kid, turning 32 before year's end, and the Pistons' other cap priorities make them unlikely to even try to re-sign him. He has been playing 10-15 minutes/game on the center-rich Pistons. Price this summer should be affordable if Mavs want to take a run at him (MLE or less). When teams try to call about Wallace, the Pistons probably steer the call this way. However, the Mavs would NOT be able to be in the running to get him in a trade. Detroit can't (as in, it will mess up their roster future) take back salary for Rebraca - but they CAN take back salary for Wallace - in a trade. If you want Rebraca, it will take draft picks or expiring contracts. Mavs have neither to offer. Mavs have a shot at him ONLY if he is on the roster at years end - cause Det will NOT resign him or even try to, by all indications.
JERMAINE O'NEAL. 6-11, IND. You think Wallace is a pipe dream? Thinking about acquiring J.O. is more than a pipe, it’s a … luge. A bobsled run. A … we don’t know, but it’s something way bigger than a pipe. Has the rift healed over the firing of Isiah Thomas? Things have quieted down since the season started, but undoubtedly the fact that O'Neal is a base year player until July (making him virtually untradeable) could be playing a role. He plays both ends of the floor well. If available, the price would be very steep. Fuggetaboudit steep.
CHRIS ANDERSON. 6-10, DEN. FA at season's end. Young active leaper who has come from nowhere this year. Averaging 4.3 RBG and 2.3 BPG in only 15 min/gm. Denver has loads of cap room if they want to keep him, but with him only getting 15 MPG, can they justify offering him more than the MLE to keep him from getting offers? This might be another to keep an eye on.
KEON CLARK. 6-11, UTAH. FA at season's end. Veteran shot blocker. But there are those inside the Mavs family who think he’s a nut case. No thanks.
GREG OSTERTAG. 7-2, UTAH. FA at season's end. Big, bulky, and quite effective at times, but has also frustrated the Utah coaches over the years. Will a rebuilding Utah team let him walk? His 03-04 contract is for $8.66M - will he be available to the Mavs for the MLE of 5.5 or less? Greg will bang, and he is from around these parts. But he has the potential to be another Shawn Bradley; you know, one of those, ‘Gosh, if I was 7-feet-tall, I’d. …’’ guys.
ADONAL FOYLE. 6-10, GS. FA at season's end. No offensive skills whatsoever, so if he was on the Mavs roster he undoubtedly wouldn't get on the floor anyhow. Nah.
RASHEED WALLACE. 6-11, PORT.FA at season's end. Reportedly available via trade. But we don't see him going anywhere til after the season - his current contract is a killer in trying to make a salary match in a trade. We’ll make that point in detail in a coming story at DB.com.
DALE DAVIS. 6-11, PORT. FA at season's end. If the Mavs want him, might the veteran banger be available to them for the MLE or less? There is a lot to like here, but at some point, Davis – talked about often in Dallas throughout the years – runs out of gas.
VLADE DIVAC. 7-1, SAC. FA at season's end. He is 35 going on 50, and his legs and skills have diminished the last couple of years. But he is still more effective than any C the Mavs have. With Brad Miller and a healthy Chris Webber up front, would Sacramento let him go? He earned about 12M this year, and if the Kings bid on his services for more then the MLE, they will be in Luxury Tax territory - which they seem to be trying to avoid. And if the Kings pass on bringing him back, would he be willing to come to Dallas for a couple years at the MLE and ply his trade against the Kings rather than with them?
POSTSCRIPT: With so many possibilities available to the Mavs this summer, the team's plan could be to play out the year "as is." This would also allow plenty of time to evaluate whom they want to keep, if trades are in order at some point.
In the interim, logical speculation says they could obtain a less-than-perfect Big Man for the minimum off the free agent list, or from the NDBL. They have a roster spot open, and at times they have sorely lacked another big body - for instance, with Bradley ailing for the last few weeks, their tallest center possibility (other than Dirk playing out of position) is 6-8.
Here are some of the inside-type players currently without a job, including their height, age, and a comment. Note that there are perhaps 50 such players that could be mentioned, so this list contains only the most notable names:
TYRONE HILL. 6-9, 35. Mavs made a run at him mid-season last year but he signed with Philly at the time. Inside banger. May be looking for too much money: has been linked to several teams this year, but has not been signed.
JAMES LANG. 6-10, 20. High schooler drafted in the 2003 draft (late 2nd Round). Project. Best skill - rebounding. Raw offensively. Released by New Orleans 12/29/03. Mavs officials publicly saying no thanks.
IKE AUSTIN. 6-10, 34. Veteran was in training camp with Miami this year. And, if you recall, he summered with the Mavs.
LEE NAILON. 6-9, 28. Veteran NBA-er was mentioned in the Dallas Morning News as a name to consider, but he is more of an offensive small forward type (which the Mavs are loaded with) rather than a big man. Released by Atlanta 12/29/03. Mavs officials publicly saying no thanks here, too.
SLAVKO VRANES. 7-5. He is VERY tall, and mobile. But in spite of only costing the minimum, he was recently released by the lowly Knicks. Reportedly he has great shot-blocking skills, but no basketball background and no offense. Is he worth a flyer as a possible Manute Bol type defender?
So, you’ve got your perfect trade scenarios, and you’ve got your recognizable-and-serviceable guys, and you’ve got your no-names. Take your pick, and we say you end up like Nellie – thinking how awfully good Shawn Bradley would be right now.