NBA Update: Dallas Mavericks eager to keep Tyson Chandler and Jose Barea
The Dallas Mavericks have six players who will be free agents at the end of the season. These include Tyson Chandler, Jose Barea, Brian Cardinal, Caron Butler, Peja Stojakovic and DeShawn Stevenson. With the lockout and a new CBA
looming large, the future of all these players at the Dallas franchise is in serious doubt.
Now reports have confirmed that the Dallas Mavericks are determined to hang on to the two most important players in that group. The players are starting centre Tyson Chandler and reserve point guard Jose Barea.
Chandler only arrived at the Dallas Mavericks this pre season and has since established himself as a constant fixture in the team. Chandler’s presence on the defensive end complements Dirk Nowitzki’s offensive approach perfectly.
The 7-foot-1 centre was drafted as the 2nd overall back in 2001 and has since gone on to represent many different teams without living up to the high expectations people had from him.
However, Chandler has come into his own since making the move to the Mavericks and has impressed everyone with his stellar displays. So good has his form been, that Brendan Haywood, who signed thinking he would be the starting
centre at Dallas this year, has been confined to the bench.
Chandler averaged over 10 points and 9 rebounds during the 2010-2011 regular season, as well as getting in over one block per game. He earned NBA Second All Defensive Team honours and has been a major reason for the Mavericks scintillating
run in the playoffs that has culminated in their first NBA Finals appearance since 2006. As such many teams are interested in the player but Dallas believe the good relationship Chandler has with players at the franchise will help them keep hold of him.
Jose Barea was introduced to NBA Basketball by the Dallas Mavericks and is believed to be loyal to the franchise. His performances this post season have raised many eyebrows. Barea has been smartly utilized by Dallas head coach
Rick Carlisle and the player has responded with some shining displays off the bench that helped the Mavs knock over two time NBA World Champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Mavs believe that in time, Barea could take over the role of starting point guard at the franchise although his game still needs to develop further. There is also a danger of Barea being offered big money in the light of his
potential which could turn the players head.
One more player that the Mavs could look to retain is Caron Butler. Butler has been out injured since the turn of the year and until that point he averaged around 15 points a game. If Butler can prove that he is over his injury,
the Mavs are more than likely to offer him a new contract.
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