Dallas Mavericks Free Agency: Steve Novak The Latest Addition To Camp Roster

• over 2 years ago
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Report: Dallas Mavericks To Sign Free Agent Forward Brian Cardinal

Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports on Twitter that free agent forward Brian Cardinal will sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

Just a few days ago, Art Garcia of NBA.com wrote that the Mavericks became interested in Cardinal’s services after Tim Thomas informed the team he would not play during the 2010-2011 so that he could care for his ill wife.

• over 2 years ago
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Mavs Could Sign A Big Man 'By Midweek'

The Mavericks continue to survey their big-man options in the wake of Tim Thomas having to leave the team to tend to his ill wife. Mike Fisher of DallasBasketball.com reports that the team is close to signing a replacement for training camp. As we noted last week, Brian Cardinal, Steve Novak, and Bobby Simmons each worked out with Dallas. Additionally, Ike Diogu has emerged as a possibility, reports Fisher.

Diogu, 27, missed all of last season due to a knee injury after signing with the New Orleans Hornets. The 6-foot-9 power forward split the four seasons before last between four different teams, averaging 6.1 points and 3.1 rebounds in just 12.4 minutes per game. A 50.1 percent shooter from the floor, he could still help an NBA team if given the right opportunity. He has the most upside of any player linked to the Mavericks so far.

Keep checking this StoryStream for more information on the Thomas-replacement situation as it becomes available.

• almost 3 years ago
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After Tim Thomas' Departure, Mavericks Work Quickly To Fill Void

The Mavericks got some upsetting news last week when they learned veteran power forward Tim Thomas, who had to leave the team last season to care for his ill wife, would be unable to re-join the team for the coming season, despite signing a contract. With Thomas out of the picture, Dallas has started looking for his replacement as the team’s backup to Dirk Nowitzki, according to Art Garcia of NBA.com.

Players under consideration include Brian Cardinal and Steve Novak, two jump-shooting veteran big men. Swingman Bobby Simmons, who can masquerade as a power forward in smallball lineups for brief stretches, is another possibility. But Cardinal is the frontrunner to land the gig, reports Garcia, “based on his experience, shooting range and work ethic.”

Cardinal is a 10-year veteran with career averages of 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds. He is seven years removed from his best season, in which he averaged an improbable 16.1 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while making 44.4 percent of his three-pointers for the Warriors. He’s still in the league due to his hustle, energy, and willingness to do the unglamorous things on the court. In this way, he’s remarkably similar to departed Mavs forward Eduardo Najera, whom the team sent to the Bobcats in the Tyson Chandler trade earlier this summer.

Novak is a jump-shooting specialist in the strictest sense of the term. He has made 40.3 percent of his three-pointers in his four-year career, while taking more than 70 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. At 6-foot-10 and 220 pounds, he has the size of a power forward, but not the skill-set; he has averaged one rebound for every nine minutes he’s been on the court, and has blocked a grand total of 10 shots.

Simmons parlayed his outstanding 2004/05 season with the L.A. Clippers into a fat contract, but has sharply declined since. He only managed 23 appearances last season despite playing for the Nets, who posted the league’s worst record at 12-70. Although he didn’t show it last season, Simmons is an above-average three-point shooter at 40.1 percent, and is particularly lethal from the corners.

• almost 3 years ago
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Tim Thomas Decides Not To Return To Dallas To Be With Ailing Wife

Tim Thomas has decided not to re-join the Dallas Mavericks this season, instead choosing to stay at home with his ailing wife according to the Dallas Morning News.

His agent, Bob Myers, said Tuesday that Thomas would not be rejoining the Mavericks. It is believed that Thomas may be leaning toward retirement after a 13-year career.

It was originally reported in August that Thomas would be playing in Dallas for the upcoming season.

• almost 3 years ago
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Dallas Mavericks, Tim Thomas Agree To One Year Deal

Jeff Caplan reports that Tim Thomas has agreed to a one year deal at the $1.4 million veteran minimum. Thomas will back up Dirk Nowitzki, joining Shawn Marion and Tyson Chandler as options for power forward and center minutes behind Nowitzki and Brendan Haywood.

“He can guard 4s, 5s and even some bigger 3s and spread the court and create space for the other guys,” [owner Mark] Cuban said. “Plus, he allows us to put four or five good 3-point shooters on the court at the same time and to go with a really big lineup if we need to.”

• almost 3 years ago
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Report: Mavericks Near Deal With Tim Thomas

ESPN.com reports that Tim Thomas' agent claims a deal could be close.

Forward Tim Thomas will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and the sides are expected to reach an agreement on a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum, his agent, Bob Myers, said Monday.

Thomas missed most of last season to care for his ill wife.