Who's Staying? Who's Leaving?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Q: Looking over the free-agent list for this year, I think a great, reasonable cost option for the Mavs to address their backup center/power forward position who would be a little more athletic, is Dan Gadzuric. He seems to be a fierce competitor/rebounder and would definitely be an upgrade over what we have now. What are your feelings on this?

Mark, Wylie, Texas

MOORE: That's not a bad name to keep in mind. Toronto's Donyell Marshall is another. But again, whoever the Mavericks bring in would be behind Dampier on the depth chart.

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Q: Who are the most likely Mavs to be moved? What is the most likely scenario in terms of trading for a draft pick or players? Are the Mavs high on anybody in this year's draft that might be available via a trade?

Mel Myers, Washington, D.C.

MOORE: The Mavericks say they aren't looking to move anyone and want to keep their nucleus intact. My next question is this: how do you define nucleus? Owner Mark Cuban appears to be genetically incapable of going for too long without making a deal. That being said, he normally likes to keep things together for a year-and-a-half to give it a chance to work. I haven't heard that the Mavericks are particularly high on anyone in this month's draft. They have enough young players on the roster that they appear to be leaning toward supplementing the nucleus with veteran players if moves are made. Rather than talk about the most likely to be traded, let's look at the players who won't be going anywhere: Nowitzki, Dampier, Josh Howard, Michael Finley and Devin Harris. You can make an argument that any other player on the roster can be had for the right deal.

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Q: I hope management will rest from tweaking the starting lineup. I think a year of playing together will help them jell and focus more on intense defense for another year. There are some changes I think need to be made concerning depth. It is time for Shawn Bradley to wear another uniform. His contributions off the bench were nil during the playoffs. What player contracts ended at the end of this past season and what contracts end after the '06 season?

R. Stagner, Longview, Texas

MOORE: I hope they rest, too. I know I need the rest. But you're right. The Mavericks say they intend to keep this group together and let it develop. It showed enough potential to deserve that time. I'll put you in the majority of e-mailers we have who believe that Bradley's time in Dallas has run its course. I think he can be valuable in a backup role. Johnson obviously disagrees, since he barely used him in the playoffs. If Johnson doesn't believe Bradley can help this team win in the playoffs, it's time to move him. That won't be as hard as many think. Bradley makes $4.5 million next season and has two years after that at a total of $10 million. The only contract that expires this summer is Darrell Armstrong. Jason Terry, Keith Van Horn and D.J. Mbenga expire at the end of next season. If there is a next season. </div>

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