TDMN

The Dallas Mavericks introduced two of their three players acquired in the NBA Draft to the media Friday.

The Mavs originally had the 22nd pick, but traded that to Portland for the 24th and 56th picks. Then the Mavs drafted B.J. Mullens at 24, but traded him to Oklahoma City for their 25th pick and a future second-round pick.

They knew what they were doing all along.

Instead of the one pick (22) the Mavs came into the draft with, they left with three players.

"It used to be in the NBA you tried to accumulate as many bigs as you could... it's kind of changed," said owner Mark Cuban. "You can't have enough point guards."

Cuban said OKC contacted the Mavs about a trade for the 24th pick and the Mavs ended up getting two guys they were hoping for at 22, guards Rodrigue Beaubois (24th pick) and Nick Calathes (45th pick).

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time," Beaubois said.

Said Mavs GM Donnie Nelson, "Roddy possesses some very unique skills."

Beaubois has spent the past three years playing pro ball in France and is from Guadelope.

"He had Devin Harris type numbers," Nelson said of Beaubois' workout for the team.

Cuban said he also still wants to resign starting point guard Jason Kidd.

Nick Calathes, the 45th pick in the draft, played at Florida and is contracted to play in Greece. The Mavs acquired him in a trade with Minnesota. He was not in Dallas today.

"Nick Calathes has first round talent," Nelson said.

The Mavs used the 56th pick on Ahmad Nivins, a forward St. Joseph's and the reigning A-10 player of the year.

"I've come to learn the game throughout my past four years in college," Nivins said. "I think I'm still a student of the game."

Nivins said he didn't think about coming out early.

"College is too much fun to leave early," added Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle. "I remember some of it."

Carlisle said he expects all three to eventually play for the team, although Calathes will probably continue to play in Europe this year.

He said the team's priority was to increase it's athleticism.

"We're a good running team," Carlisle said. "All these guys, we're very pleased to have."

On Cuban's plan for the players this summer: "Work the hell out of them."

"The stats and what you've done in the past once you put on the Mavericks uniform," Cuban said. "We think all three guys can play."