Countdown To Free Agency 2010

As the free agency period looms, the Mavericks know they have to secure Dirk Nowitzki (above) before they can move on to any other targets. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

With less than six hours left before the 11:01 p.m. (central time) start of what is being labeled as the best free-agent class of all time, the Dallas Mavericks are counting on taking care of one of it's own before it's able to get involved in the free-agency bonanza.

"Everything else hinges on this," Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said. "We're going all-out. We'll get this thing done, and then we'll survey the rest of the field and figure out where to go from there."

I wrote about much of this on here about a month ago, but fast-forward to today and Nowitzki has already opted out of his existing $21.5 million contract and, according to sources, is on his way to Dallas as I type this.

Some think that Nowitzki flying from Germany to his home in Dallas is a good thing, but I'm not so sure. Of course NBA teams would be willing to fly out to Germany to secure Nowitzki's services, but, with all of the reports that Dirk is likely to stay in Dallas, wouldn't it be more convenient for a team to fly to Big D instead of Germany?

I feel that if the Mavericks don't put something concrete on the table in front of Dirk, he's going to walk - plain and simple. He's been through too much shit here in Dallas to move forward with the status-quo. Dallas had better show Nowitzki at 11:01 p.m. on the dot exactly what their plan A,B,C,D and so on is to make sure this team is much better next season.

Both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, while possibilities for the Mavs, are not likely to come here. I believe Wade will stay in Miami, while James is likely to either join him there or play for the Chicago Bulls. The next tier of free agents include Chris Bosh (who has stated he has no desire to come back to Dallas or play the center position - which he would have to do for the Mavs) Amar'e Stoudemire and Joe Johnson. Two of these three I see as possibilities for the Mavs but only one do I see as a true fit.

Stoudemire, while gifted offensively, is atrocious on the defensive end and is better suited to play his natural position at power-forward. Putting a center-power forward tandem of Stoudemire and Nowitzki, a match-up nightmare for opposing teams on offense, would be disastrous on the defensive end.

Johnson, on the other hand, is a good defender who is also a gifted scorer. The addition of Johnson, who led the Atlanta Hawks in both scoring (21.3) and assists (4.9) would provide Nowitzki with a bona-fide Robin who has been the main guy and led his team to the playoffs for the last three seasons. Not only that, Johnson would be able to prolong Jason Kidd's career by being able to run the point (as he has much of his time with the 'Hawks) and take away some of Kidd's 36 minutes per game last season.

Also, while trading for LeBron or Wade, in my opinion, would require Dallas to put up all or most of it's assets (Dampier's expiring, Caron Butler, Roddy B, etc), Johnson would require only half - which would also allow the Mavs to pursue another top-tier free agent.

If Dallas strikes out on James and Wade, I feel that it's imperative that they secure Johnson, and then get on the phones to see if an Al Jefferson, Chris Paul, Rudy Gay, etc is available, which I believe they will do.

Mark Cuban is in L.A. waiting to speak with Johnson at the deadline, Rick Carlisle is already in the Washington D.C. area waiting to speak with Brendan Haywood about a new contract, and Nelson is here in Dallas ready to get things going with Nowitzki... it should be an interesting night, but it all begins with Nowitzki.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)