Keith McLeod, Anyone?
Some Workout Notes From DB.com's Spies
By Mike Fisher -- DB.com
A few more random thoughts on the Mavs’ diamonds-in-the-rough search:
ITEM: Add another name to the list of identified prospects: Keith McLeod. The 6-2 former Utah reserve point guard (he played 26 mpg for the Jazz in 04-05 and started 47 games) is apparently on the Mavs radar. McLeod, 28, spent part of 06-07 with the Pacers, which means Carlisle knows him. He was in Golden State with Nellie before that, which means the Mavs know him inside and out. McLeod is thought of as smart and scrappy, and is a former Mr. Basketball in Ohio – one of the few things he has in common with LeBron James.
ITEM: Our spies tell us that Richie Frahm’s recent workout in Dallas was terrific. The Jason Kapono comparison represents the veteran off-guard up-up-upside, of course. But the Mavs can visualize the sweet-shooting Frahm as a spot-up beneficiary of Jason Kidd’s drive-and-kick talents.
ITEM: We noted that Mustafa Shakur was listed at 6-5 coming out of college. According to the Mavs’ tape measure, the point guard is closer to 6-3.
ITEM: More on Mustafa: When he was recruited to Arizona out of Philly, he was a top-ten-in-the-country recruit. Those who watched him closely in Arizona say he was awful for the better part of his first three seasons before closing strong in his final year. Having said all that, at least one Mavs voice tells us that Shakur – though he’s superior defensively to JJB -- isn’t ready to beat him out at this point. In fact, on paper, McLeod figures to be superior to him. So our enthusiasm on Shakur is tempered a bit.
ITEM: The many Mavs fans who do not count themselves as Erick Dampier fans should know that he’s been participating in offseason workouts at the same time as some of the job-hunters. Under the watchful eye of new coach Rick Carlisle, Damp is getting his work in, is the point.
ITEM: Two more kids fighting for jobs are also in town: Reyshawn Terry and Antoine Wright.
ITEM: The phrase we co-coined years ago with Michael Irvin to downplay the importance of spring football – “The Underwear Olympics’’ – has some application to the Mavs’ ongoing street-FA tryouts. Nevertheless, we’re told that Carlisle is running drills at “game speed.’’ “Demanding’’ is how the coach’s demeanor and workouts have been described to us.
ITEM: Donnie Nelson wants things hush-hush when it comes to a potential draftee. But here’s one educated guess: As much as we believe teams should draft for talent and not for need, Dallas is making sure to give tryouts to any prospect with a strong rep as a shooter.
As long as we manage to get Diop and Harris back I'm down.
Even better, actually move Devon George this time around.
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Guaranteed contracts
1) Erick Dampier
2) Dirk Nowitzki
3) Brandon Bass
4) Josh Howard
5) Jerry Stackhouse
6) Jason Terry
7) Jason Kidd
8) Eddie Jones (player option)
Bird or Early Bird rights
9) Deveon George
10) Antoine Wright
11) Jose Juan Barea
Unrestricted Free Agents without Bird rights
12) Tyronne Lue
13) Juwan Howard
14) Jamaal Magloire
15) Malik Allen
Unsigned 2nd round picks
a) Shan Foster
b) Reyshawn Terry
c) Renaldas Seibutis
The sentiment that Gana Diop will return to Dallas is growing stronger by the day, and it also appears that Kings guard Beno Udrih will be heading for the warmer climes of the Metroplex. The Mavericks would like to have a true point guard behind Jason Kidd and Udrih proved himself more than capable when he took the helm of the Kings last season. Plenty of suitors have inquired about the former Spur, but the word is the Mavericks have the inside track. Does this set up a trade for Jason Terry? It's possible - maybe even likely. But don't underestimate the possibility that the Mavs bring back their core group, which includes Jet. Terry played for new Mavs assistant Terry Stotts in Atlanta and the two are very much looking forward to the reunion."
"The Mavericks will waste no time trying to retain the services of Devean George, and their desires will not fall on deaf ears.
Mark Bartelstein, the agent for the 6-8 swingman, said Monday that his client is open to the possibility of returning to the Mavericks and, in fact, may be leaning that way since the hiring of Rick Carlisle.
"He's been working out with Rick a little and really enjoys that," Bartelstein said. "He likes the direction that the team is going."
Bartelstein reiterated that there was no lingering ill will between George and the Mavericks after he nixed the original trade in February that would have netted Jason Kidd. The Mavericks eventually reworked the deal.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks were set to spend the early hours of free agency, which opened at 11:01 p.m. Monday, seeking help at center, shooting guard and small forward.
Names to listen for: Golden State's Matt Barnes, New Jersey's DeSagana Diop, New Orleans' Bonzi Wells, Boston's James Posey and Orlando's Maurice Evans.
Barnes' agent, Aaron Goodwin, said Monday night that he was eager to initiate contact with the Mavericks.
"I think Matt is a good fit for them, but he's a good fit for a lot of teams," Goodwin said. "They are definitely on our list.""
Mavericks Offseason Trade/FA
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