NBA News – Dallas Mavericks Officially Sign Veteran Jameer Nelson
The Dallas Mavericks were reportedly interested in a pair of veterans—Jameer Nelson or Mo Williams—to shore up their point guard position. On Thursday, they made their choice choosing Nelson over Williams and is set to sign him to a two-year $5.6 million contract.
The Mavericks official Twitter account confirmed the acquisition:
Welcome to Dallas @jameernelson! It’s official…Jameer is a Maverick! Press release here: http://t.co/kZ5O6whEE5 pic.twitter.com/wNXc7haPpB
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 24, 2014
Nelson is expected to battle for the starting PG-spot for the Mavericks, which needed help at the one-spot after dealing away Jose Calderon in an earlier deal in the offseason.
Nelson will receive $2.73 in the first year with Dallas and then can decide to come back for a second year for $2.86M.
The move appears to be the last major signing for Dallas in the 2014 offseason and they will most likely move forward with the veteran crew at the one-spot. Nelson is 32 years old while other PGs in the team are Devin Harris, 31 and Raymond Felton, 30.
The Mavericks started the offseason by getting back center Tyson Chandler in a trade with the New York Knicks the stole small forward Chandler Parsons for $15M a year from Texas rivals Houston Rockets. Dallas then signed free agent Al-Farouq Aminu, who is expected to back up both forward spots.
Nelson is entering his 11th season in the league with career averages of 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game in 651 games all for the Orlando Magic. Nelson’s best year was in 2008-2009 when he made the NBA All-Star team that year and averaged career-high 16.7 PPG.
Can Nelson help the Mavericks this season? Was it the right decision to get Nelson over Williams?