Acquired in a mid-season trade, center Calvin Booth quickly found his role with the Mavs well enough to become a factor in the playoffs.  As a result, the Mavs have his re-signing as a top priority.  He is a restricted free agent and they will be able to keep him as long as no one offers more than $4.5 million.

Dwain Price of the Dallas Star-Telegram reports that Don Nelson, in a very uncharacteristic move, stood pat on draft night and picked in his designated spots.  He took shooting guard Kyle Hill and point guard Kenny Satterfield.

Chris Broussard of the New York Times reports that the potential Charlie Ward/Howard Eisley trade is dead. Dallas was likely turned off by Ward's religeous outspokenness. "Charlie thinks he's a preacher, but we already have Rev. Tony Evans doing our chapel," Don Nelson said.

Peter Vecsey reports that the Knicks and Mavs are close to swapping backup point guards. Howard Eisley would head to New York in exchange for Charlie Ward.

Dwain Price of the Dallas Star-Telegram reports that, after creating a flap last week about possibly being unable to return to the NBA, Wang Zhizhi did some spin-doctoring by saying he will return to the NBA... once the Chinese Army gives him permission (which is what he was saying last week).

Gary Trent will not be back, however.  Due to several injuries, the development of Nowitzki and the arrival of Juwon Howard, Trent lost his spot in the rotation.  He officially became a free agent Sunday and won't return to the Mavs if he isn't promised significant minutes.

Trent's spot, and those of departing Vernon Maxwell and Mark Bryant will be filled by the draft and free agency.  The Mavs have the $1 million and the $4.5 million exceptions for free agents.  They also have two second-round picks.  They were still working out scrubs on Monday.

Mark Cuban is using Hoop-It-Up, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, to look for hidden talent.  Remembering complaints he heard when he had participating in the event, he wants to give some unrecognized streetballers a chance to play in front of scouts and perhaps get a chance to play professionally.  Even though it is unlikely that any contestant would make the Mavs, someone might play on their summer league team or may get consideration to play in a lower-tier league.

If you can take what Don Nelson says at face value, don't expect much wheeling and dealing from the Mavs on draft night.  "We're not interested in the draft this year.  We'd rather have some veteran players help us become a better team," Nelson said, according to Dwain Price of the Dallas Star-Telegram.  Nelson said they did their draft last year and, at this stage, more rookies is not what Dallas needs.