In veteran power forward Brian Cardinal, the Mavericks may have found their replacement for Tim Thomas. But Art Garcia reports that Cardinal will have to make the team the hard way: by battling through training camp and earning a roster spot.
Thomas left the team to tend to his ill wife. Cardinal, a ten-year veteran, could provide Dallas with intelligent passing and defense, but he does not have the shooting range Thomas does.
Last week, Garcia reported that Cardinal, Steve Novak, and Bobby Simmons all had workouts with the Mavericks. It appears as though Cardinal impressed them the most. He averaged 1.7 points and 1 rebound per game in 29 appearances for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.