"I've waited for this moment a long time,'' Beaubois said Friday at American Airlines Center. "When they called my name, I was way happy because I waited so long.

"But when they told me I was supposed to go to Dallas, I was happier because I really like this team and this city. I really appreciate this.''

So are we to assume Oklahoma City, which drafted Beaubois for the Mavericks , wasn't high on his wish list.

"No,'' he quickly said.

Not that there's anything wrong with the town or NBA franchise 200 miles north of Dallas.

But it's not Dallas. And this is where Beaubois (BO-bwah) wanted to be. The Mavericks had targeted him as one of the players they would use their 24th overall pick on. But when it came their turn to draft, the Mavericks got a call from the Thunder, which owned the 25th pick.

"Why would you trade 24 for 25?'' owner Mark Cuban said. "I think Oklahoma City wanted to find out who we were drafting because that might have impacted some other things they were doing.

"They wanted to see our hand, and if they wanted us to turn over our hole card, they had to pay for that right.''

That's how the Mavericks got a future second-round pick. And still ended up with what they think is a keeper at point guard.

DMN