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Mavericks Title Defense Begins With A Reshuffled Roster

As the Mavericks try to save cap space for 2012, Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler appear headed out the door.

Mavericks Title Defense Begins With A Reshuffled Roster

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29 Total Updates since November 30, 2011

 

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DeShawn Stevenson Goes To The Nets

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Peja Stojakovic Retires From The NBA

One of the greatest shooters in NBA history has decided to step away from the game on Monday after 13 seasons. Peja Stojakovic decided that after being a role player on the 2010-11 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, that he will officially retire.

Twitterprofilephoto_normal Just going up on our site: Peja Stojakovic tells ESPN that he's retiring on a championship high at age 34. Link on way momentarily @ESPNSteinLine via Twitter

Peja will always be remembered for his time with the highly successful Sacramento Kings from 1998-06 and was able to contribute in Rick Carlisle's offense when asked upon. During his time in Europe, Stojakovic was a 3-time Eurobasket Player of the Year. During his time in the NBA, he was a 3-time all-star.

Stojakovic also won the 3-point competition in consecutive years in 2002 and 2003 at the All-Star game.

For more news on NBA Free Agency, check out SB Nation's NBA page. For everything Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball.

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NBA Free Agency 2011: Dallas Mavericks Sign Sean Williams

Looking to upgrade their backup center position after the departure of Tyson Chandler, the Dallas Mavericks signed Sean Williams, a 2007 first-round pick of the New Jersey Nets, on Monday.

An athletic 6'10, 235 center out of Boston College, Williams' NBA career was derailed by a series of discipline problems in New Jersey.

But in a stint with the Mavericks' D-League affiliates, the Texas Legends, last season, Williams turned his career around. His work ethic impressed the Legends' coaching staff and he finished second in the NBDL for Defensive Player of the Year voting, behind Chris Johnson, who was called up by the Portland Trail Blazers.

In three seasons with New Jersey, Williams averaged 4.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in only 14.8 minutes a game.

Williams had been playing with the Israeli club Maccabi Haifa, but he should be in a Dallas uniform by the Mavericks' second pre-season game against Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

He will compete with Ian Mahinmi for minutes behind Brendan Haywood this season.

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Vince Carter Held Out Of Practice Because Of Knee Tendinitis

Since officially signing with the Dallas Mavericks earlier this week, Vince Carter has yet to participate in any contact drills out of concern for his knees, which have functioned as shock absorbers during his 13-year NBA career:

 Tim MacMahon 
Vince Carter still hasn't done contact work w/ Mavs due to knee tendinitis. Not major concern, but he needs reps w/ new team.

With the NBA season starting in less than two weeks on Christmas Day, Dallas will not have time for their new players to develop chemistry, especially with older players like Carter who can't practice too much.

While Jason Kidd, Brendan Haywood and Dirk are guaranteed starting spots, the two wing positions are wide-open, as any combination of Shawn Marion, Lamar Odom, Delonte West, Carter, Jason Terry, Rodrigue Beaubois and Dominique Jones may see time there this season.

The good news is that Carter, a future Hall of Famer and one of the most skilled players in the NBA, should have little time adjusting to the Mavericks' offensive sets, the bad news is that this precautionary measure could be a signal for the problems an aging Dallas team may face in a compressed season.

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Mavericks To Trade Rudy Fernandez, Corey Brewer To Denver Nuggets

Reports surfaced early yesterday morning that the Mavericks were looking to trade Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer and today it appears both may be headed to the Denver Nuggets. Marc Stein has the latest.

ESPNSteinLine
ESPN sources say that Denver covets Mavs swingman Corey Brewer as well and are trying to expand the deal to land Brewer with Fernandez

The Mavericks current roster possess a ton of wing depth and little center depth. So maybe the inclusion of Brewer in the deal nets them a center.

Denver has Timofey Mozgov, Kosta Koufos and Chris "Birdman" Anderson on the their team. Mozgov was acquired in the Carmelo Anthony trade and they would prefer to hang on to him and Anderson has three years remaining on his deal which wouldn’t make sense for the Mavericks. So that leaves Koufos as the potential trade chip in this deal as well as future draft considerations.

It’s certainly a head scratcher. I had high hopes for Rudy Fernandez on draft day and envisioned him as the starting two guard on this team. However, the Mavericks clearly had other plans and with the acquisition of Carter, Odom, West and the hopes for Rodrigue Beaubois this season, it became clear that there just wasn’t going to be enough playing time to go around.

But it’s still hard to see an aging team give up two of their young assets.

UPDATE: The deal is now official.Fernandez, Brewer to the Nuggets for a future second rounder. The Mavericks will also create a trade exception worth $5.24 million from this deal.

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Dick Vitale Is Impressed With The Mavericks' Moves

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NBA Free Agency 2011: Mavericks Re-Sign Brian Cardinal

It's not the big man that Mavericks fans have been salivating over acquiring, but the Mavericks did re-sign one of their own: Brian Cardinal on Monday.

Cardinal's numbers in the regular season were quite pedestrian. Cardinal averaged 11 minutes per game, averaging 2.6 points per game to go along with 1.1 rebounds per game. 

Our own Brett Perryman has an in-depth look at where Dallas' roster currently stands as they look to defend their first-ever NBA title in 2011-12.

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2011 NBA Free Agency: Mavericks Trying To Clear Cap Space, Attempt To Move Rudy Fernandez And Corey Brewer According To Report

As the 2011 free agency carousel continues to spiral out of control, the Dallas Mavericks are attempting to do everything they can to get to get themselves back into a position to sign another marquee free-agent. Losing Tyson Chandler is all but inevitable, J.J. Barea has signed with Minnesota and the signing of Lamar Odom helps in other areas but the Mavericks definitely want more. Problem is, all of their money is locked up.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the next option could be to cut some quality role players loose:

Adrian Wojnarowski

Dallas is trying to move Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer to create more cap space, league sources tell Y! To be clear, Dallas has NO cap space. Mavs are trying to those contracts --- Fernandez and Brewer --- off the roster.

If the Mavs release or trade Fernandez and Brewer to provide cap relief, then the speculation will be where will they upgrade? A quality big man? Another point guard? One thing's for sure, Mark Cuban seems intent on doing whatever he has to do to give Dirk Nowitzki and his Mavs a quality shot at defending their first NBA title.

For more news on NBA Free Agency, check out SB Nation's NBA page. For everything Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball.

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JJ Barea To Sign With Timberwolves

A third Dallas Mavericks free agent has left the building. Mark Stein has details on David Aldridge’s initial report that J.J. Barea will sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Sources close to situation say J.J. Barea’s four-year deal with Timberwolves, first reported by @daldridgetnt, is valued at $19 million

Among their list of free agents, the Mavericks have lost also Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler, while Brian Cardinal will return on a one-year deal. DeShawn Stevenson is still on the market but likely won’t return to Dallas.

The Mavs balked at the length of contracts demanded by Chandler, Butler and Barea, as they signed five, three and four year deals, while Dallas wants to stick to two and under. Under that guideline they’ve managed to bring in Lamar Odom, Vince Carter, Rudy Fernandez and Brandan Wright. None of that group will cost significant money beyond 2012-13.

The exchange means that Dallas is deeper on the wings, but they haven’t found a roster replacement for Barea, and they haven’t added cover to help Brendan Haywood and Ian Mahinmi in the middle.

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With Lamar Odom In, Let's Take A Look At The Mavs Roster

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Mavericks To Acquire Lamar Odom

After all the uproar the failed Chris Paul trade had caused and an attempted revival of the trade this weekend it appears the deal is finally off.

And it’s the Mavericks who swoop in and blow up the talks with the acquisition of Lamar Odom.

ESPNSteinLine
So to recap: Lakers take Odom out of three-team CP3 deal and deal him to Mavs into new DAL trade exception created in Tyson Chandler deal

Odom is a versatile player and would fill a need on this basketball team. He could step into the small forward starting role, spell Nowitzki at power forward and has played center at times.

He averaged 14.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in route to winning the NBA's sixth man of the year award on the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

He also possess a team friendly deal ($8.9 for ‘11—’12 with a team option for the ‘12/’13 season) which would not effect the Mavericks’ pursuits on the free agent market in 2012 and gives them a valuable trading chip.

The Mavericks acquired the trade exception in order to be opportunistic and within hours they had struck.

UPDATE: In addition to absorbing Odom's contract via trade exception, the Mavericks will send the Lakers a future first round pick within the next six years. That pick will be top 20 protected. 

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NBA Free Agency: J.J. Barea Being Pursued By Knicks, Timberwolves

J.J. Barea has spent his entire five-year career with the Dallas Mavericks and is now an unrestricted free agent. Barea was expecting to cash in with the Mavericks after his performance last year, but the Mavericks offered Barea a contract and it was a one-year deal. That offer was upsetting to Barea since he getting better offers from other teams:

"That is just crazy for me," said Barea, who has discussed three- and four-year offers with other teams. "Just disappointed and just looking at other teams now seriously."

[...]

"I wasn't expecting it to be like this after everything we did, after my five years here, after what we did last year," Barea said. "Now you've just got to go with it and things happen."

According to NBA.com's David Aldridge, the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves are going after Barea. The Knicks have offered a two-year deal after they made some roster adjustments to free up salary cap space to be able to sign Barea.

The Timberwolves are interested but they have yet to make an offer to Barea.

For more news on NBA Free Agency, check out SB Nation's NBA page. For everything Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball.

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2011 NBA Free Agency: Mavericks Interested In Samuel Dalembert, According To Report

The Dallas Mavericks are interested in acquiring center Samuel Dalembert from the Sacramento Kings to pair with current big man Brendan Haywood, according to ESPN Dallas. 

Using the trade exception the franchise gained in the Tyson Chandler sign-and-trade with the New York Knicks, Dallas will attempt a sign-and-trade with the Kings for Dalembert. The report did not indicate what the Kings were looking for in return, but mentioned Sacramento's interest in J.J. Barea. Dalembert averaged 8.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 24.2 minutes per game for the Kings last season.

The move is considered to be a temporary solution to the fill the loss of Chandler while keeping Dallas cap-friendly for the 2012 free agency market. The Mavericks are likely to make a move for Dwight Howard, Chris Paul or Kenyon Martin

For more news on NBA Free Agency, check out SB Nation's NBA page. For everything Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball.

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Mavericks To Acquire Massive Trade Exception In Chandler Sign And Trade

After a lot of confusion regarding the future of Tyson Chandler in New York and Chandler himself ruling out a sign and trade involving the Mavericks it appears both teams have agreed on a sign and trade after all.

According to multiple reports the Mavericks will acquire Andy Rautins in exchange for Chandler.

HowardBeckNYT
Confirmed: Tyson Chandler will come to Knicks via sign/trade. Hearing that Andy Rautins will go to Mavs, who also get a trade exception.

Reports say that Rautins will automatically be waived by the Mavericks and his role in this deal is of little consequence. The big player is the trade exception that will give the Mavericks the ability to take on a bad contract and opens up the avenue to numerous deals at the trade deadline when teams fall out of contention.

The deal is not official but I’d speculate the trade exception should be anywhere between $11-13 million.

How convenient.

Hedo Turkoglu of the Orlando Magic happens to make $11 million a year.

Now, the Mavericks would still lack the assets to make a trade for Dwight Howard but they’d at least put themselves in position to give the Orlando Magic what’s needed in a Howard trade and that’s a place to dump an awful contract.

And that’s all you can expect for Donnie and Cuban. To put themselves in a position to be opportunistic even if it’s a long shot.

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Dallas Mavericks To Sign Vince Carter

The Mavericks plan for 2011 seems to be taking shape. After seeing Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler leave, it appears they are bringing low dollar, low year commitments in order to keep the financial flexibility alive for years to come.

Earlier today the Mavericks signed Brandan Wright in a low risk/high reward move and now it appears they are close to inking longtime forward Vince Carter.

ESPNSteinLine
Sources tell ESPN that Mavs closing in on signing of Vince Carter and could have deal to reunite VC w/Jason Kidd done as early as Saturday

The Mavericks had a void at small forward with the departure of Caron Butler and it appears they have filled it. Carter’s familiarity with Jason Kidd surely came into play here and I assume he was consulted before the Mavericks pursued this signing.

I’ll reserve judgement until the financial parameters of the deal become clear but it appears to be another low risk signing.

Carter averaged 14 points and 3.8 rebounds on the Suns last year and at 34 years old it’s fair to question whether he has much left in the tank.

One thing’s for sure, if Carter has anything left in the tank, I have complete faith in Rick Carlisle to squeeze it out.

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Mavericks Sign Forward Brandan Wright

The Dallas Mavericks have spent this week watching key players from their 2011 NBA Champion team walk away in free agent deals, but they’ve made their first move of the abbreviated offseason, signing Brandan Wright.

Wright, the eighth pick in the 2007 draft, entered the NBA after just one year at North Carolina. He’s long (6-10) and athletic, and he’d flashed the ability to shoot the ball, but injuries and lack of development have him on the cusp of exiting the NBA picture.

After limited action his rookie season, Don Nelson gave Wright 23 starts among his 39 appearances in his second, and he managed 8.3 points, four rebounds and a block per game. A shoulder injury cost him the 2009-10 season, and his return last season was not successful. He saw about nine minutes per game with the Warriors before being dealt to New Jersey for Troy Murphy in a February salary shifter.

There was question over whether Wright’s next contract would be with an NBA team, but the Mavericks need low cost players to fill in for the numerous free agents they’re losing and still see potential in Wright. He will battle for a role behind Dirk Nowitzki in the back half of the Dallas roster.

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Marc Cuban Agrees With NBA Blocking Chris Paul Trade

In a wide-ranging radio interview Friday, Dallas Mavericks owner Marc Cuban explained why he agreed with David Stern's decision to veto the trade of Chris Paul from New Orleans:

"We just had a lockout, and one of the goals of the lockout was to say that small-market teams now have a chance to keep their players, and the rules were designed to give them that opportunity," Cuban said. "So to all of a sudden have a league-owned team trade their best player, particularly after having gone out and sold a ton of tickets in that market, that's not the kind of signal you want to send."

"Then, part two of that is all the rules of what you can and can't do under the new CBA weren't finalized until yesterday, so how do you really make a strategic decision until you know all the rules?"

"I mean, obviously, I wouldn't have been happy, but I would have understood because it was a conversation a lot of owners had long before the Laker deal was consummated," Cuban said. "It was like, 'Look, sure, I'd love him. Give him to me in a heartbeat.' But the whole idea of the lockout was to prevent stuff like that.

"Players will always have the right to choose what they want to do as a free agent, but the players agreed to rules that said, 'You know what? Let's give the home team, the incumbent team an extra advantage.' And that's how the rules were designed, and I think they are going to work."

As Cuban acknowledges, Paul still has the opportunity to choose where he wants to play in free agency next summer, although how the New Orleans franchise will be able to trade him now and prevent him from leaving for nothing is an open question.

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Tyson Chandler Headed To New York Knicks, According To Report

Howard Beck of the New York Times is reporting that a deal to bring Tyson Chandler - and his $58 million contract - to the New York Knicks will be completed sometime today.

In order for the Knicks to absorb Chandler's contract under the salary cap, they'll utilize the NBA's new amnesty provision that would place guard Chauncey Billups on waivers but still pay him the $14.2 million owed on his contract, as well as work out a trade agreement for Ronny Turiaf, who Beck reports will be dealt in one of five different trade options

Dallas has expressed little interest in resigning Chandler at market value, according to multiple reports. ESPN Dallas reports that the Mavs are so willing to part with Chandler, whose defense helped drive the franchise to its first ever title in June, to stay flexible in the 2012 free agency period in order to land a major name once the new labor deal is in place and certain superstars can opt out of their existing contracts:

The Mavericks have taken such a firm negotiating stance with Chandler because they fear that matching the offers for the 29-year-old will not only take them out of the race for 2012 free-agent stars Howard, Deron Williams and Chris Paul, but also prevent them from having the down-the-road financial flexibility to find a younger cornerstone player to team with Dirk Nowitzki as the 33-year-old face of the franchise gets older.

For more on the Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball. For everything NBA, check out SB Nation's NBA page.

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Dallas Mavericks Free Agency: Mark Cuban Responds To Departures

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December 8, 2011: Black Thursday For Dallas?

In one day - in the span of just a few hours, in fact - we found out that the Mavericks would lose Tyson Chandler to New York, Caron Butler to LA, that the other LA would be gifted Chris Paul, and that C.J Wilson would leave the Rangers to join Albert Pujols in LA. Worst (non-game) sports day ever?

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NBA Free Agency 2011: Caron Butler Agrees To Deal With LA Clippers

With Tyson Chandler headed to New York City, the Dallas Mavericks have lost another free agent off their 2011 championship team, though one not nearly as valuable, as Caron Butler has agreed to a contract with the LA Clippers:

 David Aldridge 
Source: Caron Butler agrees to terms with Clippers. Three years, 24M.

Butler was a widely sought player in free agency, and his chances of staying in Dallas were fairly minimal once the Mavericks decided they weren't going to offer him a multi-year deal in order to save cap space for 2012.

The 6'7 230 small forward came over to Dallas in a trade dead-line deal in 2010, averaging 15.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 57 games over two seasons.

He tore his knee halfway through the regular season last year, and was unable to play during the Mavericks championship run.

He'll be a good fit for a Clippers team looking for veteran leadership and floor spacing from the small forward position next to Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, although they may regret giving him an $8 million annual salary, especially if notoriously frugal owner Donald Sterling decides to close his wallet in negotiations with DeAndre Jordan and Gordon.

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NBA Free Agency: Tyson Chandler Headed To The Knicks

The Mavericks were resigned to losing Chandler in free agency and it looks like they have.

According to multiple reports Tyson Chandler is closing in on a deal with the New York Knicks.

ESPNSteinLine
Source close to Tyson Chandler talks just told ESPN.com: "It’s 98 percent sure that Tyson is going to wind up with the Knicks

This is a devastating blow to the defending NBA champions but it was always expected under the new CBA.

It appears the Mavericks will now turn their attention to the free agent class of 2012 in search of a big time free agent to pair with Dirk Nowitzki.

Come home, Deron.

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NBA Free Agency Rumors: Tyson Chandler Receives 4 Year/$60 Million Offer From Golden State

With NBA teams expected to be allowed to sign players Friday, Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler looks one step closer to the door, as he has reportedly received a 4-year $60 million offer from the Golden State Warriors.

In contrast to the Mavericks, who are reportedly more interested in saving salary cap space for a run at one of the premier free agents (Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard) that will be available next summer, the Warriors, under new head coach Mark Jackson, have made Chandler their first priority this off-season.

To afford him, they will likely have to amnesty their current center, Andris Biedrins, who still has three years and $27 million left on his contract.

Nor is Golden State the only team looking into Chandler, the premier defensive center in this year's free agent crop.

The New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets and LA Clippers have also been linked to the 7'1 center, as Paul has reportedly told teams pursuing him that acquiring his former teammate on the New Orleans Hornets would help them re-sign him.

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NBA Free Agency Rumors: Caron Butler Meets With Spurs

With the start of NBA free agency expected to begin on Friday, the Dallas Mavericks chances of bringing back a majority of the free agents from last season's championship team are looking increasingly slim.

Caron Butler, who started 29 games for Dallas last season before tearing his knee, has been widely courted. He came away impressed with his latest suitor, the Mavericks' long-time division rival San Antonio:

 Caron Butler 
Just met with Spurs great visit first class all the way....

While Butler's experience, shot-making ability and leadership qualities are valued throughout the NBA, his value on the open market is still uncertain.

Dallas would like to bring the two-time All-Star back, but they are unlikely to offer him a multi-year deal that would eat into their 2012 cap space, especially since they also have to consider whether they will match the lucrative offers that Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea are expected to get.

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NBA Rumors: Dallas Seeking Financial Flexibility, Eye Deron Williams In 2012

CBS Sports NBA writer Ken Berger reports that the Dallas Mavericks may pass on signing center Tyson Chandler to a contract because they are looking to retain financial flexibility for a possible run at Deron Williams in 2012. 

The Mavs are in no rush to pony up a max offer to retain Chandler, largely because they want to maintain flexibility for next summer's free-agent class -- which just happens to include Dallas' own Williams, multiple sources told CBSSports.com. While much of the speculation in this five-day run-up to the start of free agency Friday has centered around 2012 free agents Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, Williams' situation is in many ways more intriguing.

The hope for the Mavericks and owner Mark Cuban would be to sell Williams on the idea of returning home to play for his hometown team even though it would likely mean playing for less money. Berger also writes that once Williams becomes a free agent, he could resign with the Nets for a five-year $100 million dollar deal. Williams could sign a four-year deal with the Mavericks worth approximately $74 million dollars. 

For more NBA free agency rumors, visit that StoryStream. For a complete NBA free agency preview, visit this StoryStream. For more on the Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.

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Dallas Mavericks Free Agency 2011: Tyson Chandler To Meet With Golden State, Houston And New Jersey

With negotiations between the Dallas Mavericks and free agent Tyson Chandler stalling, Chandler told the people of ESPN.com Wednesday night: "I really think I'm going to be on a new team come training camp."

Now that talks are "officially" breaking down, ESPN's Marc Stein reports that Chandler will meet face-to-face this week with officials from the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and New Jersey Nets per sources close to the organizations.

Tyson Chandler's role in Dallas was one that many didn't see coming, team leader. The seven-footer took the pressure off of Dirk Nowitzki and the other big men on the Mavericks last season as he was a consistent presence on the boards and defensively. Those leadership abilities helped lead the Mavs to their first NBA championship in franchise history as Dallas defeated the Miami Heat in six games.

The big man had become a fan favorite and someone that drew a ton of respect from Dirk Nowitzki, and its unclear how the Mavericks would try and replace him.

For the latest news and notes on the Mavericks off-season, check out Mavs Moneyball.

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NBA Amnesty 2011: Dallas Unlikely To Waive Brendan Haywood, Shawn Marion

Many a Dallas Mavericks fan remembers Mark Cuban's amnesty A-bomb back in 2005 when he waived Michael Finley, and now the spectre of amnesty is lurking again for almost every team. The Mavs have a few players that could fit the bill to be waived, though according to ESPN's Marc Stein and Chad Ford, they likely won't be going down that road.

Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood would seem at first glance as the team's most likely candidates for amnesty, though the defending NBA champs won't be waiving either of them until they know what the future holds with big man Tyson Chandler. Haywood will be needed if Chandler does end up leaving, and if he stays, it would behoove the team to keep a competent backup and possibly see what trade value he has later on down the line. As for Marion, his role as a lock down defender as well as his strong showing in the Finals makes him very valuable to the Mavs, despite his age (33)  and large contract ($8.25 million in 2011-12). 

The retooled luxury-tax scale in the new CBA will keep teams spending the most from being "phased in" until the third year of the new labor agreement, giving Dallas enough reason to stay in a holding pattern on Haywood or Marion. That is, of course, only if waiving one of them isn't necessary to re-sign Chandler.   

For more on the Mavericks, head over to Mavs Moneyball to get your fix. 

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NBA Rumors: Caron Butler Interested In The Chicago Bulls

Caron Butler, one of the Dallas Mavericks' six unrestricted free agents, has been rehabbing from his knee injury in Chicago, and there's mutual interest between the Bulls and the two-time All-Star:

As the NBA free-agency period begins the test-the-waters mode, Butler's interest in the Bulls is legitimate, according to league sources. One source close to Butler said that Butler said early Thursday morning, "I hope I don't have to leave."

Interest in Butler is widespread. The SpursHeat,Clippers and Bulls are among the teams that expressed serious interest in him on Wednesday, the first day teams could contact agents.

Chicago, an elite team whose lack of perimeter offense next to Derrick Rose was exposed in a 4-1 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, seems like a good fit for Butler. 

In 29 games with the Mavericks before tearing his knee in January, Butler averaged 15.0 points and 4.1 rebounds, while playing solid perimeter defense and shooting a career-high 43.1% from the three-point line.

He's rumored to want the full mid-level exception, which would be a significant problem for Dallas, as they are already struggling to re-sign Tyson Chandler without jeopardizing their 2012 cap space. 

The Mavericks were able to survive Butler's injury last year by increasing Shawn Marion and DeShawn Stevenson's playing time, and they acquired Rudy Fernandez in a draft-day trade from Portland in an effort to cover their bases on the perimeter.

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NBA Rumors: Tyson Chandler Not Expecting To Return To Dallas

After winning an NBA Championship last season with the Dallas Mavericks, center Tyson Chandler doesn't think that he will be returning to the Mavericks for this upcoming season. 

"I really think I'm going to be on a new team come training camp," Chandler told ESPN.com in a telephone interview Wednesday night. "I'm really taking a hard look at all of my options, trying to see what best suits me."

Chandler won't have to worry about finding a job as the 7-footer will be highly sought after by many teams around the league. He maintains that his first choice is still to remain in Dallas but has been disappointed by the lack in communication between the NBA Finals and the beginning of the lockout. 

Wednesday was the first day that NBA teams and agents were allowed to begin talking about new contracts. Those teams thought to be chasing Chandler are Houston, Toronto, New Jersey and Golden State. The Mavericks have maintained that Chandler is their No. 1 priority but may simply not have the cap space to compete with other offers that Chandler will receive on the open market. 

For more on Tyson Chandler and the Dallas Mavericks, be sure to check out Mavs Moneyball

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Dallas Mavericks Free Agents: Tyson Chandler, JJ Barea Headline List

Dallas will have to make decisions on Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic and Brian Cardinal as well.

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Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.