Dallas Mavericks Blog – Page 93 – NBA Blog

Shawn Marion plays in World Series of Poker

SportsDayDFW.com reports:

While a number of the NBA’s finest are trying to secure millions in the free agent market, the Dallas Mavericks’ Shawn Marion is trying to get millions in a different way: at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Marion participated in Day 1 of the Main Event on Monday. Due to the growing popularity of the event, there are four separate “Day 1s” where players begin the tournament. Monday’s was the first possible day to start. A number of other athletes and celebrities will also try their hand over the next three days. According to a report in USA Today, former Cowboy legends Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman will both play during Thursday’s Day 1 action.

Dirk Nowitzki will stay with Mavericks

The AP reports:

Dirk Nowitzki is sticking with the Dallas Mavericks.

Next question: Will he and Jason Kidd be able to lure anyone to join them?

Nowitzki’s adviser, Holger Geschwindner, told The Associated Press late Saturday night that Nowitzki and Mavs owner Mark Cuban have agreed “to get it done.” Teams and free agents can strike deals at any time, but can’t sign them until Thursday.

According to a person familiar with negotiations, the deal is for more than $80 million over four years, with a no-trade clause. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the NBA’s moratorium until Thursday. Team officials couldn’t comment because of that same rule…

Although Dallas lacks the salary cap room to sign the big names, the club has all sorts of desirable pieces piled up to make sign-and-trade deals. Nowitzki helped free up some money by not pushing for his maximum deal, which would’ve been $96 million.

Antoine Walker pleads not guilty to Vegas casino debt

The AP reports:

Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker pleaded not guilty Wednesday to criminal bad check charges alleging he failed to repay almost $1 million in gambling debts and penalties to three Las Vegas casinos.

A Clark County District Court hearing master, Melisa De La Garza, set trial for Nov. 22 in Las Vegas. Walker and his lawyer, Jonathan Powell, said nothing to reporters after the brief arraignment.

Powell has said he and the Clark County district attorney’s office were negotiating toward resolving the Nevada case without sending Walker to prison. Walker could face probation or up to 12 years behind bars if convicted.

Dallas Mavericks expect to re-sign Dirk Nowitzki

Eddie Sefko of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram report:

For the first time in 12 years, Dirk Nowitzki will not be a Dallas Maverick when the clock strikes 11 tonight.

His free agency, confirmed Tuesday when his notification that he will opt out of the final year of his contract arrived at the Mavericks’ office, is not expected to last long. In fact, when he wakes up Thursday morning in Germany, he’ll likely have a handshake deal waiting for him…

The first step was for Nowitzki to inform the Mavericks he would opt out. The letter was faxed about noon Tuesday. He surrendered his 2010-11 salary of $21.5 million.

It’s a smart move on his part, because he now can sign a new four-year contract that could (and likely will) include a no-trade clause. He’ll also be capable of earning about $96 million over the next four years, money that would not be subject to any changes in the salary structure that could come next summer in collective-bargaining negotiations.

Dirk Nowitzki entering free agency

Eddie Sefko of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:

That’s not a huge surprise, although the Mavericks were hoping talks about a contract extension for the nine-time all-star would come to fruition.

A source confirmed that an extension now is unlikely and that if the face of the franchise is to stay in Dallas, it will happen via a new contract in free agency.

Nowitzki said last month that he would exercise his early termination option and explore free agency. It’s the first time he’ll be free on the open market.

Celtics draft pick Avery Bradley out 6-8 weeks

The AP reports:

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge says top draft pick Avery Bradley will have a “scope” on his left ankle and be sidelined 6-to-8 weeks.

Bradley was selected in the first round, 19th overall, in the NBA draft on Thursday night and was introduced by the Celtics on Friday, along with second-round pick Luke Harangody.

InsideHoops.com quick-take:

Well, at least it’s happening now, and not later on when it would cause Bradley to miss actual NBA games.

Mavericks trade Solomon Alabi draft rights to Raptors

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have traded the draft rights to center Solomon Alabi to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the Raptors’ 2013 second round draft pick and cash. Alabi was the 50th overall selection of the 2010 NBA Draft.

Grizzlies trade draft rights of Dominique Jones to Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have acquired the draft rights to Dominique Jones from the Memphis Grizzlies for cash considerations. Jones was originally the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies.

Jones (6-4, 215) finished his three-year career at South Florida ranked fifth in career scoring (1,797 points), first in free throws attempted (615) and fifth in both field goals made (592) and attempted (1,339). He was named First Team All-Big East as a junior when he averaged 21.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

The Lake Wales, Fla., native led the Bulls in scoring all each of his three years. He was an honorable mention All-American and a finalist for both the Wooden Award and Naismith Award as a junior and was the only player in the nation to average at least 21 points, six rebounds and three assists per contest. He ranked second in the Big East (15th in the nation) in scoring in his final season with South Florida.

“We are excited to add Dominique to our organization,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “He is 6-4 with a 6-9 wingspan and can do a little of everything. He can score, he can rebound and his assist-to-turnover ratio is exceptional.”

Avery Johnson to be new Nets coach

The AP reports:

Avery Johnson says he has agreed to become the coach of the New Jersey Nets, the NBA’s worst team.

In a text message to the Associated Press on Wednesday, Johnson said he thinks the Nets will announce the deal today.

Nets president and general manager Rod Thorn did not immediately respond when asked to comment on Johnson’s text. In an earlier e-mail to the AP, he said he “will have something to say” today.

The current ESPN analyst coached Dallas for three-plus seasons, going 194-70 in the regular season and 23-24 in the playoffs. He guided the Mavs to the NBA Finals in 2006 but was fired after a first-round playoff series loss to New Orleans in 2008.

He was the starting point guard for the Spurs during the 1999 championship run. He played for the Spurs in 1991, 1992-93 and 1994-2001.

DeShawn Stevenson staying with Mavericks

Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News reports (via blog):

Guard DeShawn Stevenson will return to the Mavericks next season after exercising his player option to do so last week, his agent Mark Bartelstein said Monday.

Bartelstein said it was the right move for Stevenson after considering the free agent market this summer and after playing limited minutes for Dallas last season.