Trans. May 17 9:55 ET (May 17 9:55 ET ) For the second consecutive summer, the Dallas Mavericks could have significant salary cap space on hand if they choose to pass on re-signing some of their free agents. And, for the second straight year, this is in spite of Dirk Nowitzki’s much-deserved but massive individual contract, something that paid him nearly $21 million this season and nearly $23 million in 2013-14 .
After being passed over by Deron Williams and left wanting in Dwight Howard trade negotiations, he Mavericks did well last year to put together what felt like a good enough roster to make the playoffs. The team acquisitions (O.J. Mayo, Darren Collison, Chris Kamen) all came through with up and down seasons, though, while Elton Brand sadly was a bit of a non-factor. The biggest problem above all was the loss of Nowitzki to a knee injury to start the season. Dallas competed for a playoff berth towards the end of the campaign, but with Nowitzki taking to nearly the season’s midpoint to start playing like the superstar he is, the Mavs just didn’t have a chance.
Now Dirk is talking up the future. He wants Dwight Howard. He wants Chris Paul. He wants to part of the draft decision-making process. And he wants some pizza, dammit.
April 18 (The Sports Xchange) - Dallas Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo said he will decline the player option for the second season of his contract as he seeks a long-term deal. Mayo, who signed with the Mavericks as a free agent last offseason, could have returned to Dallas for $4.2 million. The 25-year-old averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds. "Getting something long term, locking something in is what I think is best for me," Mayo said on Thursday, according to ESPNDallas.com. That doesn't preclude Mayo from returning to the Mavs. ...
O.J. Mayo’s first and possibly only season in Dallas is ending on a low, low note. While Mayo is a talent and far from a head case, and the Mavericks have had about as tough as NBA seasons get through no fault of their own, these are the results that need to be remembered.
These are the sorts of columns that you want to bookmark and send out to a dozen desperate NBA teams in late July. The sort of squads that whiffed on high-end free agents (who stayed with their incumbent teams) or watched as other franchises overpaid for the leftovers. The teams that may be forced into talking themselves into a player like O.J. Mayo. A fine player, no doubt, stuck in a tough year. But one to mull over before signing, especially in the wake of his listless play to end Dallas’ rough 2012-13 season.
ESPN Dallas’ Tim McMahon details the immediate aftermath of a particularly poor stretch of play (turnovers, listless defense) from Mayo, and the in-game and post-game comments from Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle that resulted:
“I called that timeout just to get you out of the game!” Carlisle screamed at Mayo in the huddle, according to one player.
Mayo scored 20 points in Friday's 108-105 OT win over the Nuggets.
The Scoop:Mayo has played through pain most of the year so fantasy players shouldn't judge his sporadic shooting and questionable decision-making this season too harshly.
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MADNESS!
