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:
daldridgetnt David AldridgeSource: 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.