Mavs Working to Re-Sign Brendan Haywood

[Mike-Dub]

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/07/02/mavs-working-to-re-sign-free-agent-center-brendan-haywood/

The Dallas Mavericks want center Brendan Haywood back.

"We're working to get Brendan back in a Mavericks uniform,'' Dallas general manager Donnie Nelson said Friday about the free agent who spent part of last season with Dallas after being acquired from Washington.

But Haywood won't come cheap. Big men always get paid, and Haywood's agent, Andy Miller, made it clear Friday his client, who made $6 million last season, won't be signing for the mid-level exception of about $5.8 million.

"I've always thought he's the best center (in free agency),'' Miller said of Haywood, who averaged 9.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season.

Miller is likely right. But it's not as if there's much to this summer's free-agent center class, especially after Houston's Yao Ming didn't opt out of his contract earlier this week.

Other centers available include aging veterans Shaquille O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Brad Miller and Ben Wallace. There are so-so veterans such as Rasho Nesterovic and Kwame Brown. There's raw guys like Joel Anthony, Johan Petro and Kyrylo Fesenko.

Channing Frye has re-signed with Phoenix for $30 million over five years. But he's not a true center, and Haywood figures to sign for a good bit more than that.

"The teams that we have talked with (that don't have cap room) have been talking about a sign-and-trade,'' Miller said.

It would seem unlikely the Mavericks would agree to let Haywood go in a sign-and-trade unless a very top player became available for them. But Nelson, whose Mavericks were spending Friday trying to get a deal done to re-sign star forward Dirk Nowitzki, shrugged off a report the Mavericks were looking to pay Haywood a salary starting at around $8 million.

Miller declined to name other teams going after Haywood, but called reports "surprisingly accurate'' that have linked Haywood to teams. Reports include Haywood having been mentioned with Miami, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland and Detroit.

Fortunately for the Mavericks, the only teams in that group to have more than the mid-level exception are the Heat and Bulls. And those teams likely only would want Haywood if some big stars don't come their way.


Was hoping we could sign Haywood, but doesn't look like it now unfortunately.

[Rashi]

I wanted us to get him, but also knew Mavs wouldn't let him go easily.

Now if only somehow we can get Lee (w/out having to give away Perk or even Baby)...then I'd be a happy camper.

[Mike-Dub]

I wanted us to get him, but also knew Mavs wouldn't let him go easily.

Now if only somehow we can get Lee (w/out having to give away Perk or even Baby)...then I'd be a happy camper.

I like what you are thinking and that was my first priority.

[Lucky17]

But Haywood won't come cheap. Big men always get paid, and Haywood's agent, Andy Miller, made it clear Friday his client, who made $6 million last season, won't be signing for the mid-level exception of about $5.8 million.

"I've always thought he's the best center (in free agency),'' Miller said of Haywood, who averaged 9.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season.

. . . .

"The teams that we have talked with (that don't have cap room) have been talking about a sign-and-trade,'' Miller said.

It would seem unlikely the Mavericks would agree to let Haywood go in a sign-and-trade unless a very top player became available for them. But Nelson, whose Mavericks were spending Friday trying to get a deal done to re-sign star forward Dirk Nowitzki, shrugged off a report the Mavericks were looking to pay Haywood a salary starting at around $8 million.

Miller declined to name other teams going after Haywood, but called reports "surprisingly accurate'' that have linked Haywood to teams. Reports include Haywood having been mentioned with Miami, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland and Detroit.

Fortunately for the Mavericks, the only teams in that group to have more than the mid-level exception are the Heat and Bulls. And those teams likely only would want Haywood if some big stars don't come their way.

Well, the only way we land Haywood is via S&T using Sheed, and perhaps some sweetener.

Chicago? They have Noah already. I could see Miami getting him to go alongside Bosh and Wade.

[Kane3387]

I wanted us to get him, but also knew Mavs wouldn't let him go easily.

Now if only somehow we can get Lee (w/out having to give away Perk or even Baby)...then I'd be a happy camper.

Even if it means having to give up Ray?

[Rashi]

I wanted us to get him, but also knew Mavs wouldn't let him go easily.

Now if only somehow we can get Lee (w/out having to give away Perk or even Baby)...then I'd be a happy camper.

Even if it means having to give up Ray?

We can't get Lee w/out having to give away Ray, Perks or Baby?


If we do have to give up one of em...then I would prob trade Baby.

[Mr October]

I assumed all along that Haywood would be too expensive.

Gotta aim for Shaq, Brad Miller, etc ...or seek a trade with another team looking to strip some finances.

[Mike-Dub]

I assumed all along that Haywood would be too expensive.

Gotta aim for Shaq, Brad Miller, etc ...or seek a trade with another team looking to strip some finances.

Out of Shaq, Brad Miller or seek a trade with another team looking to strip some finances I really hope the C's choose option three.

[JSD]

I assumed all along that Haywood would be too expensive.

Gotta aim for Shaq, Brad Miller, etc ...or seek a trade with another team looking to strip some finances.

I thought the full MLE would be in order to obtain him. So I agree, too expensive.

[JSD]

By full I mean the whole amount and years (5).

For 2 or 3 years? That'd be great, but it wouldn't be enough.