Dallas Mavericks land Darren Collison in a sign and trade deal with Indiana Pacers – NBA News
The Dallas Mavericks, in an attempt to fill their roster after losing guards Jason Terry and Jason Kidd in free agency this year, have acquired point guard Darren Collison in a trade with the Indiana Pacers.
Sources with knowledge of the deal have told ESPN.com that the Mavericks have acquired Collison and Dahntay Jones in a sign and trade deal that will send Ian Mahinmi to the Pacers.
Mahinmi will act as a back-up to Pacers starting centre Roy Hibbert, who was retained recently after Portland had offered Hibbert a huge contract just as free agency began. The Pacers had the right to match the offer and they did,
keeping the centre in Indiana.
Collison has one year left on his contract worth $2.3 million. He is a good point guard who can start for the Mavericks next season. Dahntay Jones is also entering the final year of his contract worth $2.9 million. He has earned
a name for himself as an excellent defensive player, and will be a great addition to the Mavericks roster after the departure of Jason Terry left a void on the D.
The Mavericks earlier signed centre Chris Kaman to their roster as well, giving them a fighting chance of reaching the playoffs next season.
The Mavericks had a dismal free agency this year when their top priority, Deron Williams, decided to re-sign with the Brooklyn Nets, and Jason Terry decided to accept a three year deal with the Boston Celtics. Jason Kidd later
left the Mavericks as well to sign with the New York Knicks. However, the addition of Collison and Kaman on Wednesday have strengthened the roster to some extent and given the Mavericks the hope of remaining competitive in the next season.
The 2010-11 NBA Champions are looking to retain salary cap space for the 2013 free agency, where they will look to land a quality player and build their team around him. They were also reports that the Mavericks would likely submit
a bid for veteran forward Elton Brand, who was amnestied by the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Brand is a solid forward and would make a great front court combination with Dirk Nowitzki.
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