The Dallas Mavericks are trying to make moves to fill in the pieces after missing out on signing Dwight Howard. As the team continues to look at several players, at the top of the list is Andrew Bynum. The one-time great center has been plagued by injuries, but Dallas believes he can have a return to form in Texas and give the Mavericks another big man. After receiving a two-year contract from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bynum makes a visit to Dallas.
When Bynum visits with the Mavericks, the first thing the team will do is have the center evaluated by the athletic trainers and physicians to see just how healthy he really is. Bynum was in top form with the Los Angeles Lakers but after getting traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, he spent the entire last season on the bench for chronic knee injuries. He did not play a single minute for the team. As a result, teams are showing extreme caution when taking a look at Bynum.
The Cavaliers have already offered up $24 million to the center. The deal contains one-year guaranteed with the second as a team option. Essentially he is getting $12 million. This complicated things for Dallas. If they cannot offer Bynum anything higher, he will take what is given.
Dallas has approximately $8 million in salary cap space. They could go as high as $37 million over four years for Bynum if they got creative with other contracts. If healthy, Bynum could be a true cornerstone player for the Mavericks, especially after missing out on Howard.
As Dallas waits on Bynum, the team signed Wayne Ellington to a two year deal. The guard spent last season in both Memphis and Cleveland. He averaged 10.4 points and three rounds per game in the second half of the season. He only made 17 starts. While not an efficient scorer, Ellington did shoot 40 percent from behind the arc. He will add to the Mavericks bench as the team was in need of depth this season. He likely will not start unless injuries hit the team.
Dallas is not done making moves. They are determined to not tank the season after missing Howard, but are also not ready to sign big marquee players with what is left in free agency.
