MAVS LAND DAMPIER

Dallas Mavericks traded Christian Laettner, Eduardo Najera and rights to Luis Flores and Mladen Sekularac and two first-round picks to the Golden State Warriors for Erick Dampier, Dan Dickau, Evan Eschmeyer and rights to Steve Logan.

What does it give the Dallas Mavericks
Finally a legitimate center, and maybe a legitimate title shot. Dampier is not really in the same league as Shaquille O'Neal or Yao Ming, but he is nonetheless at the top of the NBA's second tier of centers. He had a career year in '03-04, and will give Dallas the dependable rebounding, shot-blocking, and toughness they've lacked since returning to respectability a few years ago. Dampier should also take a lot of pressure off Dirk Nowitzki, and will clear the lane for aging drivers Jerry Stackhouse and Michael Finley. Eschmeyer is the most average of backup centers, and Dickau and Logan are spunky but undersized point guards who have never been given much of a chance to succeed in the NBA--but both still have the youth & talent to pan out.

What does it give the Golden State Warriors
A couple of tough veteran forwards, a couple of talented youngsters and a couple of high draft picks. In essence, this is a typical Warriors deal: An all-star-caliber player and some throw-ins, in return for a pile of potential. Laettner will join a crowded veteran frontcourt (including Dale Davis and Cliff Robinson) to show young power forwards Troy Murphy and Andris Biedrins how to get the job done. And expect the underrated Najera to take on the 'dirty work' role off the bench left by the exodus of Brian 'The Janitor' Cardinal. The first-round picks are a nice addition, while Flores is an undersized but dynamic scoring guard and Sekularac is a big, rangy shooter who doesn't play much defense and has yet to play in an NBA game.

Fantasy impact