Western Conference

Sporting News, The, June 19, 2000

Dallas

EVALUATING TALENT: UCLA PF/C Jerome Moiso, DePaul swingman Quentin Richardson and Syracuse PF Elan Thomas have worked out for the team. Ideally, the Mavericks should come away with muscle for their wimpy interior defense and rebounding. But they also like SGs Morris Peterson, Courtney Alexander, Richardson and Desmond Mason. If they pick any of those players (at No. 12), the Mavs likely would decline to re-sign free agent Hubert Davis. Coach/GM. Don Nelson also could travel the international mute. He has come away with the rights to four international players, including budding star Dirk Nowitzki, in the last three drafts. Greek C Iakovos Tsakalidis and Nigerian F/C Olumide Oyodeli could be targets.

THE DAVIS DECISION: Davis has said he will opt out of his contract to become a free agent on July 1, and that may force the Mays to make a tough decision. Davis, who led the NBA in 3-point percentage, has completed three of the six years on his $4.5 million deal and is one of the best bargains in the league. He insists he isn't motivated by money and would like to return. But he figures to draw interest from a handful of shooting-impaired teams that could offer their $2.25 million cap exception. Nelson would like to sign Davis; he likes Davis' long-range shooting ability. But Davis is a defensive liability, and the team already has enough weak defenders. --Ken Sins

Denver

MIDDLE MAN: The Nuggets need a center. Some have suggested trading for a true big man to take the pressure off PF Antonio McDyess, who often guards opposing centers. But the Nuggets don't want to trade their young talent, and keeping their veterans could help clear cap room after next season--F/C Chris Gatling, PF Popeye Jones and G/F Bryant Stith have contracts that will expire after 2000-2001. The Nuggets seem to be leaning toward keeping relatively the same club, and coach Dan Issel says he wants to keep his core of players together and give them time to jell. But it's not likely that a year of experience and a summer of work will be enough time for young players such as SF James Posey, F/C Raef LaFrentz and F/C Keon Clark to develop to the point that the Nuggets can compete for a playoff spot.

MORE SPINACH: Jones missed his chance to work his way back into the rotation when he missed the start of the season with a back injury. He had been injured for most of the past two seasons. The club likes his basketball mind--he understands the game, plays unselfishly and is a solid locker-room presence. His strength is rebounding. When healthy, Jones can come off the bench, score 10 points and grab 10 rebounds. He isn't quick enough to guard athletic forwards. His jumper looks awkward, but he hits it. --Michael BeDan

Golden State

BOUNCING BACK: The team received a mild scare last week when it learned F/C Terry Cummings had checked into an Oakland hospital with an irregular heartbeat. Cummings, 39, underwent a battery of tests, was cleared and released. Cummings, who has a history of heart irregularity, played only 22 games last season, missing part of the year with a strained groin and the final two months because of a strained right rotator cuff. There has been speculation he would retire, moving into a job as an NBA coach or executive. But Cummings will play out the final year of his contract and then determine his future. His presence on the court was missed enormously last season, and his influence with the young big men--and his ability to play center when Erick Dampier is struggling--is greatly needed.

WORTH THE MONEY? Dampier's season was wracked by injuries (left knee, right wrist), and he played only 21 games. Dampier took advantage of being the closest thing to a legitimate center the team has had since Robert Parish by signing a seven-year, $48 million contract last offseason. But the results in the first year of the contract (8.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg) cast doubts on whether it was the right move and whether he truly is a franchise cornerstone. The franchise has a wary eye on him as next season approaches. --David Steele

Houston

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: The Rockets have been bringing in a host of prospects for a look-see in preparation for the draft. The club is almost exclusively looking for frontcourt help, so that's why it's mainly bringing in centers and small forwards. Among the players the club saw at workouts were Axel Dench (6-11) and Primoz Brezec (7-2).... The team scooped up a keeper when it signed Moochie Norris during the season. With Bryce Drew not working out, finding an adequate backup point guard became a priority, especially because it didn't want to move Cuttino Mobley there again. Norris averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 assists in 16.7 minutes a game. He fit in with the players and showed an ability to penetrate and set up the big guys or take his man off the dribble. He also can sink the 3-pointer, a big part of the team's game plan. Norris still needs to work on his free-throw shooting, but he brings a huge dose of energy.

COURTESY CALL: Expect the team to make at least a courtesy run at Seattle free-agent F Rashard Lewis, the transplanted Houstonian. Other power forward types who could draw interest include Indiana's Austin Creshere, Orlando's Bo Outlaw, Golden State's Adonal Foyle, New York's Kurt Thomas, Sacramento's Scot Pollard and Washington's Jahidi White. The team needs a power forward with some size. --Michael Murphy