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.
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