rayray2k8
07-12-2010, 11:55 PM
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/071310dnspomavsinsider.1df3fa6.html
11:49 PM CDT on Monday, July 12, 2010
Column by EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News | [email protected]
Eddie Sefko
Archive | E-mail
LAS VEGAS Trade winds and free-agent speculation are blowing hotter than the 109-degree temperature at Glitter Gulch.
The Mavericks, as is the norm, are connected to just about every rumor. But we can sort some fact from fiction.
First, they are not at the top of the list for Al Jefferson. Utah has assumed that role. And the Mavericks, while having discussed Jefferson with Minnesota, have not decided how far they will go in terms of giving up future draft picks that the Timberwolves are seeking.
Second, the Mavericks still have an interest in a big man, however. And the newest name that is being considered internally by the Mavericks is a familiar one.
Shaquille O'Neal.
A source close to the situation said Monday that O'Neal has not yet committed to Miami, which was widely suspected after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all landed there.
Instead, he appears to be open to other options, and the Mavericks currently are going through the pros and cons that would come from attaining the future hall of famer.
It can be argued both ways.
The obvious plus is that Shaq is Shaq. He would give the Mavericks a big body, which is missing on a roster that includes mostly thin big men. It also would provide the Mavericks with a backup center that would only have to play 20 to 25 minutes per game and is a proven commodity at both ends of the court.
On the flip side, he is not the Shaq of old. His mobility isn't what it used to be and the Mavericks also would be getting much older, which is not something they are thrilled about.
In addition, the O'Neal experiment failed badly in both of its last two stops. He could not fit in with the running style of the Phoenix Suns and did not have the desired impact in Cleveland with James, either.
But he remains a force that is difficult to stop in the paint and the space he takes up defensively still causes trouble for other teams.
Interest in O'Neal by the Mavericks started at the beginning of free agency, but quickly subsided. The Mavericks apparently have rekindled the idea of acquiring O'Neal, which likely would take all, or at least a large chunk, of their $5.765-million mid-level exception.
The possibility of O'Neal coming to the Mavericks is picking up speed partly because the Jazz now appears to be the front-runner in trade talks with Minnesota about Jefferson. The Jazz lost Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver to the Bulls in free agency and may also lose Wesley Matthews, who signed an offer sheet with Portland.
Jefferson doesn't make a lot of sense for the Mavericks, anyway. Despite reports Monday that talks had intensified with the Wolves, the Mavericks apparently recognize that Jefferson is a defensive liability who won't provide what they need the most from their center and backup power forward, the two positions Jefferson would play.
He is a strong offensive player and would certainly give the Mavericks a different look when they have the ball. But they are committed to Brendan Haywood as the starting center and that would render Jefferson as an offensive-minded sixth-man.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks fell short in their attempt to get Miami free agent Udonis Haslem. They were offering their full mid-level exception, but the hard-nosed 6-8 Haslem decided to re-sign with the Heat for less money.
He will make as much as $15 million less to re-sign with the Heat, but that's the only team he's ever played for and his mother and family have made the Miami area their home.
Clearly, the Mavericks are searching for their best options for a big man.
It just may be that the best option is the biggest of them all if they decide O'Neal is a good fit.
11:49 PM CDT on Monday, July 12, 2010
Column by EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News | [email protected]
Eddie Sefko
Archive | E-mail
LAS VEGAS Trade winds and free-agent speculation are blowing hotter than the 109-degree temperature at Glitter Gulch.
The Mavericks, as is the norm, are connected to just about every rumor. But we can sort some fact from fiction.
First, they are not at the top of the list for Al Jefferson. Utah has assumed that role. And the Mavericks, while having discussed Jefferson with Minnesota, have not decided how far they will go in terms of giving up future draft picks that the Timberwolves are seeking.
Second, the Mavericks still have an interest in a big man, however. And the newest name that is being considered internally by the Mavericks is a familiar one.
Shaquille O'Neal.
A source close to the situation said Monday that O'Neal has not yet committed to Miami, which was widely suspected after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all landed there.
Instead, he appears to be open to other options, and the Mavericks currently are going through the pros and cons that would come from attaining the future hall of famer.
It can be argued both ways.
The obvious plus is that Shaq is Shaq. He would give the Mavericks a big body, which is missing on a roster that includes mostly thin big men. It also would provide the Mavericks with a backup center that would only have to play 20 to 25 minutes per game and is a proven commodity at both ends of the court.
On the flip side, he is not the Shaq of old. His mobility isn't what it used to be and the Mavericks also would be getting much older, which is not something they are thrilled about.
In addition, the O'Neal experiment failed badly in both of its last two stops. He could not fit in with the running style of the Phoenix Suns and did not have the desired impact in Cleveland with James, either.
But he remains a force that is difficult to stop in the paint and the space he takes up defensively still causes trouble for other teams.
Interest in O'Neal by the Mavericks started at the beginning of free agency, but quickly subsided. The Mavericks apparently have rekindled the idea of acquiring O'Neal, which likely would take all, or at least a large chunk, of their $5.765-million mid-level exception.
The possibility of O'Neal coming to the Mavericks is picking up speed partly because the Jazz now appears to be the front-runner in trade talks with Minnesota about Jefferson. The Jazz lost Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver to the Bulls in free agency and may also lose Wesley Matthews, who signed an offer sheet with Portland.
Jefferson doesn't make a lot of sense for the Mavericks, anyway. Despite reports Monday that talks had intensified with the Wolves, the Mavericks apparently recognize that Jefferson is a defensive liability who won't provide what they need the most from their center and backup power forward, the two positions Jefferson would play.
He is a strong offensive player and would certainly give the Mavericks a different look when they have the ball. But they are committed to Brendan Haywood as the starting center and that would render Jefferson as an offensive-minded sixth-man.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks fell short in their attempt to get Miami free agent Udonis Haslem. They were offering their full mid-level exception, but the hard-nosed 6-8 Haslem decided to re-sign with the Heat for less money.
He will make as much as $15 million less to re-sign with the Heat, but that's the only team he's ever played for and his mother and family have made the Miami area their home.
Clearly, the Mavericks are searching for their best options for a big man.
It just may be that the best option is the biggest of them all if they decide O'Neal is a good fit.