The Mavericks' point guard might be analyzing the wisdom of relocation this summer based on what's happening as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers struggle in their attempt to make it to the NBA Finals.

Clearly, there are no ready-made NBA easy-street rainbows leading to a pot of gold.

OK, so there are lots of streets in this league that lead to gold. There's not nearly as many that take you to championship rings.

Kidd knows this, of course. And with the struggles of the two top-seeded teams in each conference, maybe Kidd should feel that his presence would be a difference-maker for either of those sides.

Or, maybe the alternative - staying with the Mavericks - makes more sense.

The Mavericks view re-signing Kidd as their No. 1 off-season priority. Kidd will enjoy the options that come with free agency. He finds himself in much the same situation as Karl Malone was earlier this decade when the Utah Jazz power forward went to the Lakers for one final season to chase a ring and came up empty.

"There's no clear-cut way to a title," Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said Wednesday.

"And I think Jason really likes being part of a process, to be part of building toward something."

Kidd cannot begin officially talking to the Mavericks or any other teams until July 1.

For now, the Mavericks are trying to zero in on possibilities for the No. 22 overall selection in next month's draft. Mavericks officials, like the rest of the NBA, convene today in Chicago for the annual pre-draft combine, which allows each team to watch workouts of draft-eligible players and have short interview sessions with the prospects of their choice.

A lot of point guards are on the Mavericks' list.

One point guard that already has been linked to them through various reports is Spain's Ricky Rubio. He is expected to be either the second or third player taken in the draft, after Oklahoma's Blake Griffin.

To get the 6-4 Rubio, the Mavericks would have to persuade Memphis (No. 2) or Oklahoma City (No. 3) to take part in a trade.

Briefly: Mavericks assistant coach Dwane Casey went to Philadelphia recently for a second interview for the Sixers' head coaching position. ... After Kidd, the Mavericks' other key free-agent issue this summer is Brandon Bass. The Mavericks do not have to use any of their mid-level exception to retain Bass. However, they will have to tap into that exception to keep James Singleton, Ryan Hollins or Gerald Green if any of them commands more than the minimum salary of about $1.1 million.