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ESPN.com news services
DALLAS -- the Mavs sent a future first-rounder to Utah for 7-foot-5, 245-pound center Pavel Podkolzine, whom the Jazz had taken 21st.

... Podkolzine certainly has the size to possibly replace the void Shaquille O'Neal would leave in Los Angeles.

"Dialogues are ongoing with other teams about potential movement, but we're happy about tonight," Nelson said. "We feel real good about our basketball team."

ESPN.com learned earlier Thursday that the Mavericks had offered the No. 5 pick to the Warriors (in a package for Erick Dampier), to the Cavaliers (in a package for Zydrunas Ilgauskas) and to the Celtics (for Boston's three first-rounders), to no avail.

Nelson praised Harris, a junior from Wisconsin, as the immediate backup and heir apparent to Steve Nash at point guard.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Harris started every game at Wisconsin since the start of his freshman year. He broke Michael Finley's single-season scoring record this past season and averaged 14.8 points over his college career.

Although he averaged only 3.07 assists per game over three seasons, Nelson raved about his ability to distribute, saying his playing style and attitude are similar to Nash's.

"A lot of things he does remind us of Stevie," Nelson said. "He has terrific heart, great leadership. Guys are going to love playing with this guy."


Nash is a free agent this summer, as is fellow starting guard Marquis Daniels. Nelson spoke as if both would be re-signed, maintaining that Harris was not taken as an insurance policy in case either goes elsewhere - or if they're dealt for O'Neal.

"Having Marquis Daniels allows us to bring this guy along slowly," Nelson said.

Nelson said a team can never have enough point guards. He said this move was reminiscent of when he was an assistant at Phoenix and the Suns drafted Nash even though they already had Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd.

Harris never worked out for Dallas, nor even spoke to team officials. Nelson said he didn't have to, joking that he knew enough about him because he's from Milwaukee, where Nelson grew up.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.