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Bobcats trade Tyson Chandler to Mavericks

Bobcats trade Tyson Chandler to Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have acquired centers Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca (pronounced ah-lek-SEE ah-Gin-sa) from the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for center Erick Dampier, forward Eduardo Najera, guard Matt Carroll and cash considerations.

Chandler (7-1, 235) is an nine-year veteran who holds career averages of 8.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 27.6 minutes in 588 games (391 starts). Chandler entered the 2001 NBA Draft out of Dominquez High School (Compton, Calif.) and was the second overall pick. He has played for Chicago, New Orleans and Charlotte.

Last season with the Bobcats, Chandler played in 51 games (starting 27) and averaged 6.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks despite being hampered by a stress reaction in his left foot that caused him to miss 29 games. Prior to that, Chandler was a member of the New Orleans Hornets where he enjoyed the best season of his career in 2007-08 when he averaged a career-high 11.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 1.0 assists in a career-high 35.2 minutes while shooting .623 from the floor in 79 starts. During the 2008 postseason, Chandler led the Hornets past Dallas into the Western Conference semi-finals averaging 10.3 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Ajinca (7-0, 220) was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats as the 20th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.  The two-year pro has averages of 2.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.2 blocks in 5.7 minutes in 37 career games.  He has made two separate D-League stints with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (2008-09) and Maine Red Claws (2009-10) playing in 33 games and averaging 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 steals in 24.9 minutes, while shooting .523 from the field (161-308 FGs) and .760 from the free-throw line (130-171 FTs).  He was named to the 2010 D-League Eastern Conference All-Star Team but was unable to play due to injury.

The Saint Etienne, France native played two years professionally with Hyeres-Toulon in the French Pro A League before declaring for the NBA Draft.  With Hyeres-Toulon, he averaged 4.7 points while shooting .538 from the field (42-80 FGs), 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 block in 26 games.  He won the bronze medal with the French National Team at the 2007 Under-19 World Championship.

Dallas parts ways with Dampier after aquiring him via a sign-and-trade with Golden State on August 24, 2004. Dampier was the third-longest tenured Maverick behind Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry and played 424 games in Dallas. Among franchise leaders, Dampier ranks seventh in rebounds (3,211), fourth in offensive rebounds (1,224), seventh in defensive rebounds (1,715), first in field goal percentage (.591) and fourth in blocks (546). Najera was in his second stint with the Mavericks after being drafted by Dallas in the second round of the 2000 NBA Draft (38th overall), while Carroll just finished his first full season as a Maverick after being acquired from Charlotte on January 16, 2009.

Mavericks re-sign Brendan Haywood

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have re-signed center Brendan Haywood. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. We’ll add contract details later today.

Haywood (7-0, 263) re-signs with the Mavericks after originally being acquired in a seven-player trade with Washington that also brought Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson to Dallas on Feb. 13, 2010. Following the trade, during which time the Mavericks posted a 23-7 record, Haywood averaged 8.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 26.5 minutes in 28 games (19 starts). The eight-year veteran finished the season with averages of 9.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks (fourth in NBA) and 30.6 minutes in 77 games.

Last season, Haywood became only the third player in the last 20 years to record 20-rebound games with two different teams in a single season after coming down with 20 boards vs. Indiana on Feb. 22 and 20 at Chicago as a member of the Wizards on Jan. 15.

Drafted by Washington out of the University of North Carolina in 2001, Haywood played 579 games for the Wizards and left as the franchise’s longest-tenured player. He ranked third all-time in franchise history in field goal percentage, fourth all-time in blocked shots and sixth all-time in rebounds and games played.

The Greensboro, N.C., native holds career averages of 7.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 607 contests (469 starts).

Shawn Marion plays in World Series of Poker

SportsDayDFW.com reports:

Shawn Marion plays in World Series of Poker

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?

Dirk Nowitzki will stay with Mavericks

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:

dirk nowitzki

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:

Dirk Nowitzki entering free agency

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.

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.”