Dallas Mavericks: 2009 NBA Draft

They got here the same way they got to 50-plus wins the previous eight seasons leading up to his one - by being carried by Dirk Nowitzki. The big German had a Nowitzki-esque season (25.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and benefited from having solid secondary scoring options on the roster in Josh Howard and Sixth Man of the Year Jason Terry. Having an owner willing to throw around cash (the team had the second highest payroll this season) helps also.

When the team shipped off point guard of the future Devin Harris to New Jersey in February 2008 for Jason Kidd, they effectively stated that they are built to win now, not five years from now. With most of their key contributors on the wrong side of 30-years-old, the team needs to stock up with some young talent, especially at the point guard position. Young big men always come in handy also.

It all hinges on whether or not Kidd will re-sign with the team for another season or two. If Kidd stays around, the Mavs can afford to take a work-in-progress point guard like Jrue Holiday or Patrick Mills and have them apprentice under the future Hall-of-Famer for a season or two. If Kidd bolts and they need a point guard to play immediately, they might be better suited to take a steady, but not spectacular, player like Darren Collison, who would supply them with good speed, defense and outside shooting. If they choose to go big, they can afford to take a young stud like BJ Mullens or Gani Lawal and let them learn under Dirk and Erick Dampier.