We're not expecting to hear a ton of Mavericks rumors until free agency gets underway and Dallas' pursuit of Deron Williams officially begins in earnest. But that doesn't mean the Mavs won't be active today. According to Mike Fisher of DallasBasketball.com (via Twitter), the club is exploring ways to get into the top 11 of the draft. Any deal would be contingent on one of a handful of desired players being available. Here are a few more draft-day notes out of Dallas:
- GM Donnie Nelson acknowledged that the Mavericks would consider using the amnesty clause this summer, though he wouldn't confirm whether or not Brendan Haywood would be the target, writes Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
- Given the cap limitations facing the Mavs, the team won't be able to offer Jason Terry a contract until it gets an answer from Williams, says Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.
- While rival teams may not be allowed to talk to free agents yet, Mavericks players Dirk Nowitzki and Delonte West are doing their share of public recruiting to try to get Williams to Dallas. Nowitzki told KTCK-AM in Dallas (link via the Dallas Morning News) that he'd love to have the point guard running the show for the Mavs next year, while West unleashed a string of tweets explaining why D-Will should choose Dallas. The irony there? West himself is set to hit free agency this weekend.
—–