NBA Draft 2012: 5 Big Men Dallas Mavericks Can Snag to Replace Tyson Chandler

After Tyson Chandler arrived and changed the defensive identity of the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, the standard for Maverick centers became much higher. An NBA championship was the ultimate result of that change, so, rest assured, the Mavs will look to strengthen that position in the upcoming draft.

Brendan Haywood has done his job as Chandler's replacement. His stats aren't flashy, but he is on the floor when the Mavs crank up the defensive intensity.

However, if the ultimate goal this summer is to lure Dwight Howard and Deron Williams to play alongside Dirk in Big D, concessions will have to be made. Haywood would be on the list of those on their way out, and Ian Mahinmi and Brandan Wright will likely be free-agent departures in order to create room for Howard.

In order to have a suitable backup for Howard, the Mavs would have to tender a low-salary free agent or attack the draft aggressively. Finding a bargain is the name of the game, so no rock will be left unturned.

With either Howard or the incumbent Haywood next season, it's likely the Mavs will address the need for a reserve center this offseason. Here are five prospects they could target in the 2012 NBA draft.

Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Although Moultrie is listed as a power forward at 6'11" and 225 pounds, he could be the kind of combo forward-center that Dallas has now in Brandan Wright and Sean Williams.

The former UTEP transfer is averaging a double-double for Mississippi State, with 16.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per contest.

Since he is widely considered a mid-to-late first-round draft prospect, the Mavericks would have to buy-in or trade up to take him. Their first-round selection currently resides with the Los Angeles Lakers, who have the top-20 protected pick from the Lamar Odom deal that was made before the season.

Moultrie could spell the center and power forward slots in the event Dirk Nowitzki or Haywood/Howard needed rest, and could do so at a reduced salary rate.

Mouphtaou Yarou, Villanova

Yarou broke into the Wildcats rotation during the 2009-2010 campaign when Villanova earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament before losing in the second round to St. Mary's.

Raw and with very little offensive game as a freshman, the junior now has established himself as one of the better big men in the Big East, capable of scoring and defending the paint in the Wildcats' guard-heavy system.

Another combo forward-center, the 6'11", 250-pound Yarou would likely see more time at center. He's averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks a game.

The talent is there for teams to make him a late first- or early second-round selection. If he were to fall to the second round where the Mavericks are slated to select, he would be a nice find for the rotation in 2013.

Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri

Ratliffe is an intriguing prospect. At 6'8", 240 pounds, he doesn't have the size to be a true center. But with 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds in a system where at times he is the only rebounder on the floor, he might be overlooked by many teams.

While he's not jump-out-of-the-gym athletic, his length and rebounding prowess make him an NBA-level talent.

That, combined with toughness, could make him an ideal candidate to flank the other big men on the Mavs' roster. They could wait to see if he falls to them in the second round, or make a move to ensure they can nab him.

Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

Ezeli has the prototypical size and stature to be considered a center in the NBA. His 6'11", 250-pound frame is what has scouts keeping him as a mid-tier prospect. But his play leaves something to be desired.

Aside from that, the knee injury that sidelined him during the early part of the season will scare teams away from making him a first-round selection. That could play perfectly into the hands of the Mavericks, who could be sitting pretty if he were still available in the second round.

The Nigerian-born Ezeli would bring shot0blocking and length at a discounted rate, which would allow the Mavs' more flexibility in their pursuit of Dwight Howard and Deron Williams.

Fab Melo, Syracuse

Fab Melo could be the most improved player in all of college basketball. After a disappointing first season for the Orange, his numbers are up across the board, most notably his 3.1 blocks per game.

His familiarity with Jim Boeheim's 2-3 zone could be a selling point for Dallas, which utilizes Rick Carlisle's zone from time to time to slow down teams with more athleticism (Miami Heat, OKC Thunder).

Much like they did with Dominique Jones, whose 25th overall first-round spot cost $3 million, the Mavericks would have to acquire a selection to take Melo, who is widely considered a late first-rounder. In the long run,  he might be one of the best centers in the draft if he decides to declare after the NCAA Tournament.

With a 7'0" frame and only two years of college experience, he would be a project on the offensive end. But with Dirk Nowitzki and other scorers in the lineup, Melo could be free to protect the rim and be a force on the offensive glass.