Some links and your formal introduction to the draftees

The draft is now behind us and free agency is rapidly approaching. The Ball will keep you posted on all the news and rumors as the Mavs try to make a splash in the offseason.

Until then, let’s check out some high quality links…

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News tells us that the Mavs should have a plethora of competition in the Jason Kidd free agency market. But can anyone else offer the kind of deal that the Mavs can?

ESPN the Magazine’s Ric Bucher tells us that despite his age, interest Kidd will not diminish. His 2009-2010 salary on the other hand…

SI.com’s Steve Aschburner ranks the 30 NBA markets by attractiveness to players. Where do your Dallas Mavericks fit into the group?

It’s not Mavs news but it is Southwest Division news. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle breaks the news that Yao Ming’s foot injury could be worse than originally thought…perhaps career threatening?

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News tells us that ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla thinks Mavs fans should be nothing but enthused about first-round draft pick Roddy Beaubois.

DallasBasketball.com has all the rumors you handle in one sitting.

A couple of quick notes before we introduce the newest Mavericks…

For you Baylor fans out there (by Baylor fans, I obviously mean Derek Ripley and Matt Mosley), Sefko informs us that the great Curtis Jerrells has been invited to join the Mavericks’ summer league squad.

The NBA recently released NBDL team affiliations and the Mavs and Hornets will be sharing the Albuquerque Thunderbirds.

Now on to the draftees…

Rodrigue “Roddy” Beaubois
PG
6′2″ 182 lbs.
2/24/1988

Check out this highlight reel…

Ahmad Nivins
PF
6′9″ 235 lbs.
2/10/1987

Want to see a two handed slam?

Nick Calathes
PG/SG
6′5″ 185 lbs.
2/7/1989

Some highlights courtesy of ESPN…

That is the Dallas Mavericks’ draft class of 2009. Don’t expect to see any major contributions from these guys next season. Donnie said that this was a “futures draft” and that’s how the Mavs drafted. Calathes will play in Greece next season and possibly join the team in 2010. Beaubois and Nivins will be on the summer league team so Mavs fans can get their first glimpse July 10-19. Roddy will definitely be on the 15-man…not sure about Ahmad but we’ll see.

Here is a video of the press conference introducing the newest Mavs…

Until next time…

Peace. Be good.

Tags: Ahmad Nivins, Albuquerque Thunderbirds, Barry Horn, Baylor, Curtis Jerrells, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Morning News, DallasBasketball.com, Derek Ripley, Donnie Nelson, Eddie Sefko, ESPN the Magazine, Fran Fraschilla, Free agency, Houston Chronicle, Jason Kidd, Jonathan Feigen, Matt Mosley, NBA Draft, NBDL, New Orleans Hornets, Nick Calathes, Ric Bucher, Rodrigue Beaubois, SI.com, Steve Aschburner, Yao Ming