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[DallasNews.com] Source: Mavs agree with veteran Christie

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by RocketsMVP, Aug 12, 2005.

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  1. RocketsMVP

    RocketsMVP Member

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    http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon.../mavs/stories/081205dnspohunter.6433d015.html

    By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News

    Even before reluctantly parting with Michael Finley by trade or waivers, the Mavericks have found a replacement.

    The team has reached an oral agreement with veteran swingman Doug Christie on a one-year, $3 million deal, a source said. Christie, 35, was waived Thursday by the Orlando Magic as part of the NBA's luxury-tax amnesty provision.

    Before Christie officially becomes a Maverick, he must wait seven days to clear waivers, according to league rules. It is unlikely any team will claim Christie and his $8.2 million salary, making him an unrestricted free agent who could then sign with the Mavericks on Wednesday.

    Christie's agent, Bradley Marshall, declined comment other than to say than Christie and his wife, Jackie, would be visiting Dallas soon to meet with the Mavericks.

    If Christie is healthy and happy, he could be a key acquisition and address a targeted need for the Mavericks.

    He was always a top candidate for all-defensive team honors in Sacramento, a point of emphasis under Mavericks coach Avery Johnson. And Christie has played in 58 career playoff games and could provide the Mavericks with locker room leadership.

    Some of his skills could particularly help the Mavericks. At 6-6, Christie could be used against San Antonio's talented Manu Ginobili. But in Sacramento, he was versatile enough to bother smaller point guards such as Phoenix's Steve Nash or San Antonio's Tony Parker.

    While a natural swingman offensively, Christie handles the ball well enough to play point guard. That could allow the Mavericks to use Jason Terry as a shooting guard in some situations.

    One concern is the decrease in Christie's production after Sacramento traded him to Orlando in January for Michael Bradley and Cuttino Mobley. Christie's production and playing time decreased dramatically in Orlando.

    A career 11.4 point-per-game scorer, Christie averaged 5.7 points in 21 games for Orlando, shooting 36 percent from the field.

    A foot injury forced him onto the injured list in March. But he underwent successful surgery to remove bone spurs following the season.

    Although a different kind of player, Christie would give the Mavericks a veteran who could immediately fill Finley's lineup spot. The Mavericks are expected to waive Finley under the luxury-tax amnesty clause Monday if they can't work out a trade beforehand.

    While they landed Christie, the Mavericks saw 7-foot center Stephen Hunter sign a five-year, $16.5 million contract in Philadelphia. The Mavericks sought Hunter as a backup to Erick Dampier, but he chose Philadelphia because of the long-term contract and the promise of additional playing time.

    One name left on market is DeSagana Diop, another interesting 7-footer. Diop, 23 and the eighth pick in the 2001 draft, is a restricted free agent unlikely to be retained by Cleveland.
     
  2. RocketsMVP

    RocketsMVP Member

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    Sorry. I didn't realize this was already started in another thread.
     
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