By the time the Mavs use their only pick of the draft - 55th overall - Nelson could indeed have polished off nine holes of golf. For Nelson, that prospect might be more exciting than the idea of picking a player so late in the draft, a player who likely has no chance of making the team's rotation next season.

Thus, Nelson said the route the Mavs will likely pursue in the draft is securing an international player and allowing him to remain overseas to develop for a year or two. Those players could include small forward Goran Cakic (6-foot-9) of Yugoslavia, center Mario Kasun (7-0) of Croatia, shooting guard Mladen Sekularac (6-8) of Yugoslavia or power forward Luis Scola (6-9) of Spain. If the Mavs draft an American-born player, it might be Fresno State power forward Melvin Ely (6-10), Southern California power forward Sam Clancy (6-7), or Texas power forward Chris Owens (6-7), who is from Duncanville.

One rumor making the rounds has the Mavs trying to move up to the No. 6 slot, currently held by Cleveland, so they can draft center Maybyner "Nene" Hilario of Brazil. At 6-11 and 260 pounds, Hilario is a fierce rebounder and shot- blocker and could be the inside presence the Mavs sorely lack.