The Dallas Mavericks are a peculiar team. They have, without question, the most passionate owner in the league, and Mark Cuban is willing to spend just about any amount of money to bring a championship to Dallas. Unfortunately, the Mavericks still haven't been able to get Dirk Nowitzki back to the NBA Finals after he lead the team there for the first time in franchise history in 2006.

The 2008-09 season saw the team drop even further short of their ultimate goal, despite a trade that brought legendary point guard Jason Kidd into the fold late last season. New head coach Rick Carlisle gave everyone in his locker room a chance to prove they belonged, with varying results. The stars performed well, Jason Terry even won the Sixth Man Of The Year, but what the Mavericks really needed was for someone to step up and take ownership of the two-guard position, and that never really happened.

Antoine Wright eventually got the two spot by default, but Gerald Green, Devean George, JJ Barea, and Jerry Stackhouse all had shots at the position - none were consistent enough to win it. Matt Carroll was acquired in a mid-season trade and was thought to have a great shot at starting, but never really got into the Carlisle rotation beyond garbage time minutes. As things stand, the two spot is still the Mavs' primary need, as it has been ever since they waived Michael Finley.

Finally, the one thing that may have actually hurt the Mavs the most was the injury to Josh Howard. His ankle needed surgery long before the season was over, and though he played through it he was far from healthy in the playoffs. Most other players wouldn't have even been out there. He's already had surgery, and having a healthy Josh Howard will make a huge difference for the Mavs next season.

Immediate Needs In The Draft

Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson recently told HOOPSWORLD he's not really locked into a particular position when it comes to their first round draft pick - the 22nd pick overall. The Mavs need depth at basically every position, but as mentioned, the two guard spot continues to be the most glaring need. Rumor has it that the player they most covet is LSU's Marcus Thornton, though we've been told he likely won't be on the board at 22.

Chase Buddinger and Terrence Williams could also be on the Mavs' short list at the two, though Williams is less likely to be there at 22. Wayne Ellington will be there, and might be worth a look from Dallas. We've also been told the Mavs have a great deal of interest in VCU senior Eric Maynor, though why the Mavs would draft another point guard when they already have three (assuming they re-sign Kidd) is beyond me.

As things stand today, the Mavs don't own a second round pick.

Immediate Needs In Free Agency

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Ironically, the player the Mavs need is rumored to be available and he's very interested in playing for the Mavericks. It just so happens that he plays for the one team that would never send him to Dallas. The Phoenix Suns are definitely fighting the urge to cut costs in a big way, and Shaquille O'Neal is precisely what's missing in Dallas. The Mavs need a legitimate low post threat to play alongside Dirk Nowitzki, and the only better centers in the NBA today are not about to be traded: Houston's Yao Ming and Orlando's Dwight Howard. The Mavs also have the cap relief the Suns need, as they could buyout Stackhouse immediately and then let Damp's deal expire next summer (provided they don't play him 28 minutes per game this season, which is about as likely as the sun going supernova tomorrow). Unfortunately, bad blood will absolutely prevent this deal from going down. After the Steve Nash ordeal Robert Sarver and Cuban are barely on speaking terms.

Assuming the Mavs can't land Shaq, which is a safe assumption, Marcin Gortat, Antonio McDyess, Zaza Pachulia, Lorenzen Wright, Rasheed Wallace, Rasho Nesterovic, Francisco Elson, Jason Collins, Chris Wilcox, Theo Ratliff and Jarron Collins round out the free agents who are either centers or could play the position. As you can see, it's slim pickings. Gortat, Wallace and McDyess are probably the only ones who would remotely help the Mavs.

The team has every intention of re-signing Bass, Singleton, and Hollins, so the one glaring need still not addressed is shooting guard. Frankly, the Mavs aren't likely to simply sign their long lost two; they're going to have to make a deal to land one. Jamal Crawford is known to be available, and he's exactly the kind of player the Mavs need in their backcourt with Kidd. Mike Miller would be a decent fit, as well, if he looked for his own shot more than he has in Minnesota. Without a legitimate three-point threat and proven scorer at the two, the Mavericks don't have a prayer of getting back to the NBA Finals. They can even overcome the center deficiency with the right two guard.

The Mavericks have their work cut out for them, but with an owner who's willing to spend and who isn't afraid to make bold moves, don't be surprised if they do something that makes them significantly better this summer.