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  1. #1
    bandwagoner fans suck ducks's Avatar
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    Mavs' Mbenga gets multiyear deal
    Agreement with center comes as Mavs bid for coveted guard James

    http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...fs.186dde8.html

    12:03 AM CDT on Monday, July 3, 2006

    By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

    While the Mavericks play the waiting game with top free-agent target Mike James, they have come to terms with backup center D.J. Mbenga on a multiyear contract.

    Mbenga has been with the team for two seasons. He earned $880,000 last season. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed. Mbenga can't sign the agreement until July 12, per free-agency rules.

    The Mavericks were impressed with the way the 7-footer improved as the season went on. He's one of the most athletic centers in the league and still is learning the game. Mbenga appeared in 43 games last season and averaged more than five blocked shots per 48 minutes played.

    Meanwhile, plenty of compe ion has cropped up in the Mavericks' pursuit of James, arguably the top free-agent guard left on the market. The Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets, among others, are pursuing the 6-2 guard, who averaged 20.3 points for Toronto this season.

    Because of the high interest, James and agent Bill Duffy appear to be in no hurry to accept the Mavericks' offer of their $5 million mid-level exception, or any other offer.

    Taking their time might pay off.

    The Hawks lost out on their bid to sign Sam Cassell. Since the Hawks are under the salary cap, they can offer James more money than the Mavericks.

    The Mavericks appear content to wait on James, although they also are interested in Denver forward Reggie Evans.

    The Rockets made a strong push for James as soon as the free-agent negotiating period started Friday. Coach Jeff Van Gundy was ringing James' doorbell at his Houston home at 11:01 p.m. to start the wooing process.

    Like the Mavericks, Houston is hesitant to give James, 31, more than a three-year contract.

  2. #2
    Believe. furry_spurry's Avatar
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    I bet Toronto works out a S&T with James and picks up a shooter.

    Dallas is interested in Reggie Evans. Where's LJ?

  3. #3
    bandwagoner fans suck ducks's Avatar
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    when nuggets signed nene
    it said evan was close to being a done deal in denver

  4. #4

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    =(

  5. #5
    Veteran loveforthegame's Avatar
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    The Mavs have offered the MLE to James and I bet he accepts. I just don't see him going to Atlanta, even for the money. I guess Houston is still an option but I'd run to Dallas before going there.

    The Nuggets need another shooting guard so I won't be surprised to see a Daniels for Evans in a sign/trade deal.

    Mavs call it an off season.

  6. #6
    Free Throw Coach Aggie Hoopsfan's Avatar
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    I just don't see him going to Atlanta, even for the money
    Why not? All things being equal, the players always take the money. This will be his last big contract, you're kidding yourself if you don't think he's going to try and cash in.

  7. #7
    Veteran loveforthegame's Avatar
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    I'm never surprised when a player goes for the money. I just don't see Atlanta offering that much more than the MLE to him. So it comes down to a couple extra million and losing or a chance to win with a couple million less.

  8. #8
    I cannot grok its fullnes leemajors's Avatar
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    i think he would lean more towards houston than dallas.

  9. #9
    Dirk Administers THE SHOCKER LEONARD's Avatar
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    Mbenga...

    James in Dallas would be sweet...

    Or Bonzai...

  10. #10
    Spur-taaaa TDMVPDPOY's Avatar
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    if i were him either goto houston or dallas, because they have are contenders, and texas = income tax free.

  11. #11
    Mahinmi in ? picnroll's Avatar
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    James lives in Houston, would be a starter there. Hard to see how Dallas wins that battle. Dallas tried a S&T for Daniels but Raps said no thanks to that.

  12. #12
    Veteran exstatic's Avatar
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    James lives in Houston, would be a starter there. Hard to see how Dallas wins that battle. Dallas tried a S&T for Daniels but Raps said no thanks to that.
    That's because Daniels is on a 6 yr $36M contract. WTF was Dallas thinking?

  13. #13
    Truth, justice, and the NBA
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    ANyone else think they signed him just to keep him away from SA, Houston, Phoenix? That seems like a big deal for a 3rd string center. Or could they be looking to dump Dampier's contract?

  14. #14
    Believe.
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    That's because Daniels is on a 6 yr $36M contract. WTF was Dallas thinking?
    He was an undrafted free agent and had averaged close to 18 ppg in the games he started that year(close to 30 if I remember correctly). Under Don Nelson he was perfect for that team...He's been injured throughout this year and whenever he comes into the game seems to make some dumb mistake so Avery's lost trust in him. At the time the contract was reasonable and still is for a young guard with good skills. He'd average over 15 if Avery gave him 30 minutes a game.

  15. #15
    Believe.
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    ANyone else think they signed him just to keep him away from SA, Houston, Phoenix? That seems like a big deal for a 3rd string center. Or could they be looking to dump Dampier's contract?
    ??? Terms were not disclosed though I'm guessing he's going to make a little less than Diop and his deal started at $2 million.

  16. #16
    Believe. CubanMustGo's Avatar
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    Dallas paper implies that James wants more than a three year contract and that neither Houston or Dallas is willing to offer him one ... which might be one more reason he considers Atlanta. More money and more guaranteed seasons.

  17. #17
    Alleged Michigander ChumpDumper's Avatar
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    At the time the contract was reasonable and still is for a young guard with good skills.
    No, the Mavs went Nene/Darius Miles on Quis and bid against themselves. It was stupid for them and stupid for Daniels.

  18. #18
    Veteran exstatic's Avatar
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    No, the Mavs went Nene/Darius Miles on Quis and bid against themselves. It was stupid for them and stupid for Daniels.
    Looks like they did it again with MBenga. Two million, starting, for a third string center?

  19. #19
    I cannot grok its fullnes leemajors's Avatar
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    let the summer of cuban begin!!!

  20. #20
    Damn You Commies T Park's Avatar
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    So much for Cuban showing financial restraint...

  21. #21
    Believe.
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    No, the Mavs went Nene/Darius Miles on Quis and bid against themselves. It was stupid for them and stupid for Daniels.
    Not really...even now I think it's a pretty reasonable contract for a guy who can average 15-18 points a game if given the minutes. At the time he was a free agent he would have signed a similar contract with another team. It's a contract where he's averaging 6 million a yr...not 10. With Nelson at the helm Daniels I'm sure expected way more minutes than he's getting under Avery.

  22. #22
    Alleged Michigander ChumpDumper's Avatar
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    At the time he was a free agent he would have signed a similar contract with another team.
    Then let him sign it -- if the offer truly existed -- and match it. Don't bid against yourself. So sayeth the Sterling One.

  23. #23
    I M Ultimate Badass Quadzilla99's Avatar
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    Mike James is not going to want to go Dallas to be a backup when he can go to Houston to start. If, If Houston stays healthy they have a shot at competing in the playoffs and they didn't just sign another pg to a huge deal. 0% chance he goes to Dallas to be a backup in the prime of his career. How's Dallas going to find minutes for 3 pgs all 6'3 and under? Harris is already unhappy.

  24. #24
    Believe.
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    Then let him sign it -- if the offer truly existed -- and match it. Don't bid against yourself. So sayeth the Sterling One.
    We tried that one with Nash and we lost him...Daniels wasn't a restricted free agent because he was undrafted.

  25. #25
    Alleged Michigander ChumpDumper's Avatar
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    Daniels wasn't a restricted free agent because he was undrafted.
    Untrue.

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