The Oklahoman (Mike Baldwin) reports on a team’s 82-game regular season schedule: “Four games against division opponents. Four games against six out-of-division conference opponents. Three games against the remaining four conference teams. Two games against teams in the opposing conference. A five-year rotation determines which out-of-division conference teams are played only three times.”
Category: Dallas Mavericks Blog
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Darius Miles comeback attempt
SI (Ian Thompson) reports: Darius Miles is trying to become the first player to return from an injury that was deemed to be “career-ending” by the NBA. If he were to sign a new contract and play in 10 or more games this season, his $9 million salary would go back on Portland’s books — though his return would not affect the Trail Blazers as badly as has been advertised. Miles underwent microfracture surgery to repair his right knee in November 2006. He hasn’t played since, and he was released by the Blazers in April after the “career-ending” judgment was made by an independent medical examiner appointed by the NBA and the players’ union. In recent weeks, Miles has had workouts — ranging from two hours to less than 30 minutes — with the Nets, Celtics, Suns and Mavericks, all of whom controlled the terms while asking Miles to compete against other players.
Gerald Green must learn fundamentals
The Dallas Morning News (Eddie Sefko) reports: Fundamentals were never ingrained in Gerald Green because he could always get by on his outrageous physical talent. Carlisle said Green jumps higher than any player he’s ever seen and that he’s also a good outside shooter. But Green has never learned to translate his physical gifts into great defense or ball-handling ability. “I just didn’t take advantage of my opportunities,” Green said. “I blame myself, nobody else. … I’m a new guy and ready to get after it.” Green averaged better than 10 points with Boston in his second NBA season, which is partly why he was included in the trade that brought Kevin Garnett (and a championship) to Boston. A struggling Green was traded to Houston, which cut him after one game.
2008-09 Salary Cap set to $58.680 million
The National Basketball Association today announced that the Salary Cap for the 2008-09 season will be $58.680 million. The new Cap goes into effect immediately as the league’s “moratorium period” has ended and teams can begin signing free agents and making trades.
The tax level for the 2008-09 season has been set at $71.150 million. Any team whose team salary exceeds that figure will pay a $1 tax for each $1 by which it exceeds $71.150 million.
The mid-level exception is $5.585 million for the 2008-09 season and the minimum team salary, which is set at 75% of the Salary Cap, is $44.010 million.
For the 2007-08 season, the Salary Cap was set at $55.630 million, the tax level was $67.865 million and the mid-level exception was $5.356 million.
Gerald Green to Mavs
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Jeff Caplan) reports: Gerald Green, a former high school prodigy out of Gulf Shores Academy in Houston, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks, Green’s agent Colin Bryant said. A first round pick of the Boston Celtics in 2005, the slender, 6-foot-8 Green was part of the trade that sent Kevin Garnett from Minnesota to Boston. The Timberwolves traded Green to Houston last season. He played in one game for his hometown team before being released. Bryant was on his way to Dallas on Wednesday morning to work out the specifics of the deal.
Del Harris to be Bulls assistant coach
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Jeff Caplan) reports: Longtime Mavs assistant coach Del Harris, who most recently served as a team consultant, is leaving the organization to join the staff of first-time head coach Vinny Del Negro with the Chicago Bulls.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Fantastic hire by the Bulls, adding an extremely well-known veteran coach to help guide Del Negro. Of course, one wonders if it should be the other way around, Harris getting the head coaching job while Del Negro learns the ropes under him and gets good experience before leading a team himself. That’s what I would probably have done. But then again, I don’t know Del Negro’s basketball mind. Maybe he’s brilliant.
Eddie Jones stays with Mavs
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports: Dallas Mavericks veteran guard/forward Eddie Jones exercised his player option Tuesday morning and will return for a 15th NBA season and second with the Mavericks, a team official confirmed. Jones, 36, is due $2 million next season. Signed last season as a free agent to bolster the team’s 3-point shooting and defense at the shooting-guard spot, Jones struggled through injuries, most notably a bad knee and ankle. He played in just 47 games and averaged 3.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Mavs assistants to be finalized soon
Mavs Courtside View (Art Garcia) reports: Rick Carlisle is about to fulfill one goal … his coaching staff. Former head coaches Dwane Casey and Terry Stotts are in Dallas finalizing contract details and preparing for next week’s NBA Draft. Mario Elie, one of Avery Johnson’s former assistants, and player development coach Popeye Jones are also expected to remain on staff.
Jeff of InsideHoops.com says: That’s an absolutely fantastic set of assistants. One of the best staffs in the league that I can think of.
Mavs try-out Mensah-Bonsu and Frahm
The Dallas Morning News (Eddie Sefko) reports: Fringe NBA players are on tour these days, making the rounds to see where they might have a shot at full-time employment next season. Most of the names are anonymous, but one that made a swing by American Airlines Center on Monday was of particular note: Pops Mensah-Bonsu… The Mavericks also brought in Richie Frahm, a respected shooter who has bounced around the league for several seasons and played 10 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season.
Rick Carlisle going to Germany to chill with Dirk
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Jeff Caplan) reports: Mavericks coach Rick plans to travel to Germany next week and spend five days with Dirk Nowitzki, who is training with the German National team in its quest to qualify for the Olympics for the first time. Without a first-round pick in the June 26 draft, the Mavs will likely try to buy or trade their way in, although Carlisle said it can be difficult working out a deal with teams with only one first-round pick. New Jersey (from Dallas in the Jason Kidd trade), Seattle and Memphis each have two first-round selections. The Mavs have the 51st overall pick. Carlisle said he is getting closer to naming a staff. Former NBA head coaches Dwane Casey and Terry Stotts have standing offers. Carlisle gives a slight edge to the Boston Celtics to beat the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA title. Carlisle was a member of the Celtics during the most recent NBA Finals meeting between the two franchises, in 1987.