Mavs' free agent plans on hold mavs open against cavs

**ducks** · 08-02-2007

Mavs' free agent plans on hold

Mavs waiting for dominoes to fall before using exception

01:05 AM CDT on Thursday, August 2, 2007
By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected] The Associated Press

Free agency has become a holding pattern for the Mavericks and numerous other NBA teams.

The reason: uncertainty surrounding restricted free agents Mickael Pietrus of Golden State and Sasha Pavlovic of Cleveland.

Teams have been reluctant to commit to other big guards or small forwards until Pietrus and Pavlovic sign.

While the Mavericks wait for the free agent market to heat up, they are negotiating with Devin Harris on a contract extension. "Those situations have taken forever and will probably continue to linger," Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "It's created a ripple effect."

Agent Happy Walters, who represents Pietrus, told the Contra Costa Times that the Mavericks are among the teams interested in a sign-and-trade for his client, along with Miami and Cleveland.

More likely, the Mavericks will explore the unrestricted market if they decide to use all or part of their $5.3 million exception.

Players like Chris Webber, James Posey, P.J. Brown, Eddie Jones and Matt Barnes could bring different qualities to a 67-win team.

"Who's the guy who really grabs you as a difference-maker?" Nelson said. "Who's going to get you into the second and third round of the playoffs? Realistically, any additions we make are going to augment what we have."

Talking contract: The Mavericks have been begun negotiations with point guard Devin Harris on a contract extension.

While Nelson described the talks with agent Henry Thomas as amiable, a deal is far from imminent. Harris' rookie contract expires after this season and he could become a restricted free agent.

"Even if we can't get anything worked out, it can still be a win-win situation," Nelson said. "For both camps, it will be a better understanding of Devin's value."

Harris, the fifth pick in the 2004 draft, averaged 10.2 points per game last season while starting 61 games. He has shown flashes of ability but consistency has been an issue.

Starting with King James: The regular-season schedule will be released at noon today. The Mavericks open on the road against LeBron James and Cleveland on Halloween in a game televised by ESPN. The home opener is Nov. 3 against Sacramento.

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