NBA.com's GM Survey listed Dallas as the team that is most fun to watch ... and that was
before the
Mavs acquired All-Star Antoine Walker from
Boston on Oct. 20. Dallas also received Tony Delk while Raef LaFrentz, Jiri Welsch, Chris Mills and a 2004 first-round pick went to the Celtics.
Dallas' dilemma will be trying to stop the opponent from scoring. But who will stop the Mavs? The team's core players -- Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Michael Finley, Antawn Jamison and Walker -- scored a combined 104.4 ppg in 2002-03.
"We have been looking for a point forward since I have been here and I feel we have gotten one of the best in the league in Antoine Walker,” Mavericks coach/general manager Don Nelson said. “Walker is an all-around great player who will fit nicely into our system."
Nelson was successful in employing Paul Pressey as a "point forward" for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1980s. Pressey was an excellent defender, but not the well-rounded offensive threat Walker is.
LaFrentz is reunited with his former Kansas teammate Paul Pierce, a two-time All-Star for the Celtics. Both players were selected in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft.
"Raef is a great complement to Paul Pierce," Celtics president Danny Ainge said. "He stretches the defense, opens the paint and is a good shotblocker."
The 6-foot-11 LaFrentz has hit 274 career three-pointers and has averaged 2.2 blocks in 318 career games.
Welsch, a first-round pick in 2002, is only 23 years old. "We would not have done this deal if Jiri was not included," Ainge said. "He's a very promising 6-7 combo guard. We are very high on him."
Mills, 33, missed much of last season because of injuries.
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Oct. 21: Mavs introduce Antoine Walker and Tony Delk:
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