Kidd is big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper
Kidd is big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper
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The Mavericks' first order of business will be to take care of their own when the free-agency period opens at 11 p.m. today.
Jason Kidd's status isn't the only one that could get sticky.
Brandon Bass, who blossomed into a capable backup power forward and center last season, will draw attention from several teams, his agent said Monday.
While Bass falls into the second tier of free agents, losing him would force the Mavericks to rely more heavily on James Singleton – also an unrestricted free agent – and perhaps pursue a big man on the open market or through a trade.
"Brandon likes Dallas and appreciates the Mavericks," agent Tony Dutt said. "He will certainly look at that, but he will look at other options, too. I'm pretty comfortable in saying he's going to get a ton of interest."
Bass will be seeking the mid-level exception. Because he has been with the Mavericks for two seasons, they can offer him any annual salary up to the exception without actually using their exception.
It is believed the Mavericks will hold their mid-level exception to try to lure a quality free-agent scorer such as Rasheed Wallace.
The mid-level is expected to be between $5 million and $5.5 million.
Bass is not necessarily looking to land with a team where he would start, Dutt said. But it could be a consideration, given that quality teams such as Orlando and San Antonio could be in the market for a starting power forward.
The Mavericks will be walking a fine line. Assuming they offer Bass a multiyear deal, whatever the Mavs pay him would eat into their available funds for the fertile free-agent class of 2010.
Meanwhile, Kidd's situation will be on the front burner from the start. He is expected to get attention from several contenders, as well as the New York Knicks, who are trying to acquire assets that could be enticing to Cleveland's LeBron James in 2010. A high-level point guard such as Kidd would fit that description.
The Mavericks have said they will do whatever they can to re-sign Kidd.
Re: Kidd is big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper
It would be unfortunate to lose Bass, but it won't be easy to keep him around. I expect some team to overpay and we aren't going to match every offer (he is not a restricted free agent anyway).
Re: Kidd is big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper
I don't know how we're going to upgrade both our front court and backcourt this season but it's got to happen for us to stay relevant in the West.
We're going to over pay Bass, which is fine by me the guy plays good ball. The Kidd situation is where I'm most conserned. We need a Sign & Trade to happen. Possibly take a discontent player who wants a huge contract. Amare and Josh Smith come to mind but that leaves us fishing for a decent PG with our MLE. Any ideas for FA PGs that could be had for the MLE or part of the MLE?
We still have Dampier and Stackhouse but I think they won't be moved until the season starts and teams realize they want to dump salary and tank or not.
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Kidd is big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper
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