Down here in Dallas we have a perennial problem. We don't have anyone clogging the middle who scares anyone. It says a lot when Erick Dampier is the best center we've had in the past 20 years (Darren Morningstar, Sean Rooks, Eric Montross, Cherokee Parks, Loren Meyer anyone?). But the best I can say about him, besides the fact we should have drafted him 10 years ago, is that he's serviceable. DeSagana Diop was all right, just missing an offensive game entirely.

Problem is, thanks to the ever-more-sucky Jason Kidd trade, Dallas does not have a 1st round pick in next week's draft, at a time when 7-footers are clogging up the mocks like Shaq in a buffet line. Of course, Dallas would like nothing better than to get out from under that $20 million mistake and move Kidd's expiring contract, not to mention Josh "Pothead" Howard (actually, I only fault him for the stupidity of admitting he smokes weed, not for actually doing it. People do far worse.) One deal I've heard is Howard and Dampier to the Clippers for Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman (Eric Montross: The Sequel anyone?)

Here's an easier way. Trade into the middle of the first round. There, falling faster than Michael Vick's bank account balance, is 7-2 Roy Hibbert out of Georgetown. Why he is falling I have no idea. At this time last year he was a top-5 pick. What happened? And do I need to remind anyone the center pedigree coming out of Georgetown? Patrick Ewing? Dikembe Mutombo? Hell, even Othella Harrington wasn't half bad.

Second, move for a young point guard. Kyle Lowry, Jarrett Jack, Luke Ridnour, whomever. I doubt the Celtics let Rajon Rondo go. Hell, even Sebastian Telfair in Minnesota, just get someone young in here. And if you can move Kidd to the Lakers for Lamar Odom and then flip John Howard to the Cavaliers for their pick at 19 to take Hibbert, even better.

I would love your thoughts on this.