The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly close to completing a deal with free agent DeJuan Blair. Despite the recent signings of big men, the Mavericks remain in contention for free agent center Greg Oden.
Dallas is close to signing DeJuan Blair, according to an ESPN source. The deal is expected to be a one-year, league-minimum $1.4 million contract. The 6-foot-7, 265-pounder averaged last season 5.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 14 minutes per game with the San Antonio Spurs. The 24-year-old spent most of his career coming off the bench for San Antonio.
Blair tweeted on Tuesday about the impending deal.
Blair joins a crowded frontcourt. Samuel Dalembert, the presumed starting center, signed with Dallas earlier this month. The Mavericks last week also re-signed big men Brandan Wright and Bernard James, adding depth to a frontcourt anchored by Dirk Nowitzki.
Mark Cuban and the Mavericks apparently aren't done adding to the roster, either. The team is still contending for free agent center Greg Oden. Dallas is one of six finalists for Oden, according to ESPN sources.
Medical care, along with financials, are considered to be most important for the 7-footer. The Mavericks are hopeful the chance to work with longtime Team USA trainer Casey Smith and team doctor Tarek Souryal will lure the injury-plagued center to Dallas.
Teams are expected to make formal offers this week to Oden. The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Dallas are the six teams Oden is likely to choose from. A source close to Oden told ESPN that the two frontrunners are Miami and San Antonio.
Oden is expected this week to choose a team.
