Mavericks retains Haywood; Beaubois might start ahead of Kidd
When it comes to making big-time acquisitions (Jason Kidd in 2008, Shawn Marion in 2009, and Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood in 2010), the Mark Cuban-backed Dallas Mavericks has always been ready to pull the trigger. But with the team still not having playoff success despite a promising roster, the team seems to have a different strategy this summer. Instead of adding to the brouhaha involving big-named free agents, the Mavericks shifted gears and focused in keeping valuable pieces.
After re-signing their franchise player Dirk Nowitzki a week ago, Dallas re-signed center Brendan Haywood. The 7-foot Haywood—picked up from a seven-player deal that also involved Butler and Josh Howard—averaged 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds after arriving from Washington just before the trade deadline last season.
The Mavericks reportedly offered a contract worth approximately $55 million for six years. This move indicates two things: One, Haywood will be Nowitzki’s muscle for as long as he stays in Dallas and two, Cuban’s wallet is not getting any thinner.
The deal does have certain incentive clauses, though. For next season, Haywood will be paid $7 million, which will rise by 10.5 percent over the course of five years. The final year of the contract is still not guaranteed unless conditions are met. A deal such as this makes the first five years worth approximately $42.4 million, with the possible sixth year going up as much as $10.7 million.
Although the Mavericks are in dire need of a center, the deal has received criticism from the Dallas faithful. Haywood’s averages—which could go up to 10 and 10 once he becomes comfortable—while solid, may not be enough to complement Nowitzki in the frontcourt. Also, with the injury-plagued Erick Dampier burning the last year in his contract, Dallas fans feel that Cuban could have gotten more bang for his buck. Even with Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire out of the free agent picture, and Jermaine O’Neal, likely to sign with Boston, Al Jefferson and Tyson Chandler are still out there.
But Cuban stands by his decision. “Brendan is a defensive force that impacts games,” he said. “With a training camp and more time together, we think he can be the cornerstone in the middle for us for the next six years.”
Apart from the belief that Haywood can hold court in the paint, Cuban also believes that the team’s second-year guard Rodrigue Beaubois can actually take the starting job away from Jason Kidd next season.
The All-Star veteran sides with the owner. “I would hope that’s what we’re shooting for, to develop Roddy [Beaubois] this summer and to play him more next season,” Kidd said. “I wouldn’t be opposed to coming off the bench some next season.”
The 6-footer Beaubois was picked 25th overall in the 2009 draft by the Oklahoma Thunder, before being traded to Dallas for another draft pick. Beaubois was able to show flashes of brilliance in his rookie year despite battling for minutes with another backup point guard in JJ Barea. Beaubois broke through when he scored a career-high 40 points, hitting 9 out of 11 three-pointers in a game against the Golden State Warriors. In Game 6 of the San Antonio series, Beaubois truly proved his worth by singlehandedly bringing his team back from a huge deficit in the second quarter.
Unfortunately for Beaubois, he is playing for a coach that is known for benching rookies. But with his dynamic performance last season, compounded with the support of both Cuban and Kidd, it is only a matter of time before the 22-year old French phenom gets his minutes.
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