Mavericks 93 Timberwolves 85: Summer League Game 2 Review

Ledo, James shine as Mavs get their first win of the summer.

Box Score

Mavs Leaders
Points: Ledo, James, 21
Rebounds: James, Carmichael, 7
Assists: Ledo, Bost, 3
+-: Goulding, +15

Game Ball
Ricky Ledo
21 pts, 3 rbs, 3 ast, 5-8 3PT

Play of the Game
Eric Griffin was at it again, with another highlight reel dunk, this one a reverse windmill off an opencourt steal.

Notes
After struggling with his shot against the Knicks, Ledo looked smooth with his jumper on his way to hitting 5 threes. Bernard James had his second straight strong outing, scoring 21 points on 6-9 FG and 9-11 FT. According to Tim McMahon of ESPN Dallas, Sarge is supposed to sign a contract with the Mavs for the league minimum. According to several sources the Mavs are expected to acquire another big body, Greg Smith in a trade from the Bulls. Smith has fared well in the limited games he has played in the league with Houston, but missed most of last season due to a knee injury. The trade will be a salary dump and Dallas won't send anything of significance in return. Minnesota was led by Shabazz Muhammad, who had 27 points and 11 rebounds but was 10-24 from the field. Gal Mekel was solid but unspectacular totaling 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Quote of Note
“I just think we’re getting a better feel for each other. I just think the first game you kind of have goosebumps and you’re kind of nervous, the way you should be, and you’re kind of a little bit hesitant with your teammates, even though you’ve had a training camp with them. But I just think today we watched film and we made some corrections this morning, and the guys did a great job of executing it tonight.”
Mavs Summer League Coach Kaleb Canales

They Tweeted It

Greg Smith’s career per-36-minute averages: 13.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, .623 FG%
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 13, 2014

Next Up
The Mavs will conclude pool play when they face the Raptors, Monday at 5:00 Central. All games afterward will be in tournament play.

Carter leaves for Memphis

In somewhat of a surprise, free-agent Vince Carter has left the Mavericks to sign a 3 year, 12 million dollar contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Mavs could only offer a cap-exception worth 2.7 million annually due to the offer-sheet they signed Chandler Parsons to. Carter, in his 3 years with the Mavs was a quality 6th man whose outside shooting ability now becomes a priority to replace.

At least we will always have this:

Knicks 76 Mavericks 64: Summer League Game 1 Review

Mavs fall in Summer League opener derspite a strong showing from Bernard "Sarge" James.

Box Score

Mavs Leaders
Points: James, 15
Rebounds: James, 10
Assists: Mekel, 4
+-: Griffin, +8

Mavs Game Ball
Bernard James
15 pts., 10 rbs., 4 blk., 7-8 FG

Play of the Game
Eric Griffin's ferocious jam from just inside the free throw line on former Mav Shane Larkin.

Notes
Despite a rough shooting game (4-14 FG), Ricky Ledo has his moments as he was able to get into paint and force the action. Gal Mekel (10 pts, 7rbs, 4 ast)  played Larkin (10 pts, 5 rbs, 5 ast)  to a near statistical dead heat. Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Knicks was the game's high scorer with 25 points. The Mavs were only 5-22 on threes and 13-20 from the line. They also had only 9 assists to 18 turnovers.

Quote of Note
“I just want to go out and play hard. And I just want to win, really. That’s the goal. I feel like if you have that mindset everything else will take care of itself. You’ll get a contract and you’ll stay in the league. So, that’s really the way I’m going about it.”
Bernard James

He Tweeted It

Lol yeah I got banged on, ish happens. Good win! #KNICKSTAPE
— Shane Larkin (@ShaneLarkin_3) July 11, 2014

Next Up
The Summer League Mavs are back at tomorrow at 5:30 Central against the Minnesota Timberwolves

Mavs to Sign Parsons to Offer Sheet

The Mavericks have agreed with Rockets restricted free-agent Forward Chandler Parsons on a three year offersheet contract worth 46 million dollars.The deal is reported to have a player-option after year two.
The offer sheet will be signed tomorrow, after which Houston will have 3 days to either match the contract or let Parsons walk.  Complicating matters for the Rockets is their current pursuit of Chris Bosh.
Parsons, 25 is a 6-9 three year veteran from Florida who averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4 assists per game last season. His addition would give the Mavs maybe the best frontline in the league with the threesome of Dirk, Tyson Chandler and Parsons.

Mavs Announce Summer League Roster

Mavs to sign Harris to 3 year deal

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein the Mavericks are close to re-signing point guard Devin Harris to a three year contract. ESPN Dallas' Tim McMahon says the deal will be close to the 9 million dollar range that Harris agreed to last offseason before toe surgery forced Harris to accept a one year contract for the minimum.
Harris averaged 7.9 points and 4.5 per game last season after missing the first 41 games due to the toe surgery. He was also a key factor in the Mavs pushing the eventual champion Spurs to 7 games in the playoffs. His return became even more crucial after Jose Calderon was traded to New York in the Tyson Chandler deal. Considering the contracts other point guards have gotten so far (I'm looking at you, Darren Collison), getting Harris back at these terms is an absolute steal.

Dirk agrees to 3 year deal

In the least surprising news of the NBA off-season, Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki has agreed to a new three-year contract with the team that will pay him close to 30 million dollars according to ESPN's Marc Stein. The deal has a player option for the final year of the contract as well as the no-trade clause he had on his previous contract.
Dirk will be taking a steep pay-cut from his last contract which was for 4 years and 80 million, giving the Mavs more cap space to improve the roster. At 36, this in all likelyhood the final contract of the Big German's storied career.

MFFL
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) July 3, 2014