Mavs hit the trade deadline lottery

By Bill Ingram Sports Central Columnist

The Dallas Mavericks were already one of the top teams in the NBA, leading the Midwest Division and boasting a lineup with three All-Stars.

Dirk Nowitski, Michael Finley, and Steve Nash are all 20-point threats every night, but the Mavs have been lacking a consistent presence in the paint, both defensively and on the glass.

While that hasn't been an issue on most nights, if the Mavericks hope to advance to the Finals, they would need to address the Shaq Factor. On Thursday, they did just that.

Mark Cuban will do anything necessary to make sure Don Nelson has the best team he can have on his bench.

He knew the Nuggets had to get rid of Nick Van Exel, who had been lobbying for a trade since November.

Cuban offered Denver a solution that would not only rid Kiki Vandeweghe of the cancerous Van Exel, but also land Dallas the center they needed to compete with the Lakers.

Denver sent Raef LaFrentz, Van Exel, Avery Johnson, Tariq Abdul-Wahad to the Nuggets for Juwan Howard, Tim Hardaway, and cap fodder.

Now, I know what you're saying. Raef LaFrentz is going to stop Shaq?

Yeah, right.

I'm not saying LaFrentz will stop Shaq -- no one can stop Shaq.

What I'm saying is the Mavs can now keep Shaq busy.

Meanwhile, LaFrentz can keep opponents from driving to the basket (second in the NBA with three blocks per game), he will help Nowitski on the glass (7.6 rebounds per game), and he will keep opposing centers running.

LaFrentz has a nice inside game, but can also shoot from anywhere. If you leave him open from three - he drops a three.

Traditional centers like Shaq are not comfortable going out to the perimeter to play defense.

LaFrentz will disrupt Shaq's comfort zone, which is all anyone can hope to do.

If Shaq tries to guard Raef's jumper, LaFrentz can put the ball on the floor and go by him, perhaps even drawing a foul on the slower O'Neal. If Shaq doesn't come out to guard him, Raef will hit for 30.

That's all well and good, but how will bringing in a fourth scorer effect the Mavs already-potent offense?

Let's take a look at the Mavs' first game with Raef at center.

LaFrentz scored 16 points (6-11 from the field), pulled down six rebounds, and blocked two shots, while holding Vlade Divac scoreless (0-7) and reserve center Scott Pollard to four points in 21 minutes. Not a bad start for LaFrentz.

Van Exel will be a nice addition to the bench (and probably trade bait this summer), Abdul-Wahad adds depth to the two-guard spot, and Johnson gives the Mavs a spiritual leader (with rings) off the court.

Usually, a division opponent is reluctant to help a rival improve dramatically, but it seems the Nuggets were so desperate that they didn't mind giving the Mavs what they needed most if it meant unloading Nick Van Exel.

Certainly, Howard will help the Nuggets somewhat, but this trade is so heavily favored in Dallas' favor it almost makes me wonder if Cuban has compromising photos of Denver GM Kiki Vandeweghe.

If anyone can challenge the Lakers -- and I'm not sure anyone can -- the Mavericks, equipped with LaFrentz, have to figure to be at the top of the list.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.