T&R RSS

Truth & Rumors > NBA

Heat, Mavericks chasing Diop

Views
17
Comments
0

What's the going rate for a backup center who averaged 2.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game last season? If you're DeSagana Diop, it could be a great year to be on the market. It's slim pickings for free-agent centers, and if all those Chris Paul-to-Tyson Chandler alley-oop dunks in the first round of the playoffs suggested anything, it's that the Mavs, after including Diop in the February trade to New Jersey for Jason Kidd, are in dire need of interior defense. Those factors could more than double Diop's $2.2 million salary and net him the Mavs' entire mid-level exception, expected to be valued between $5.5 million and $5.7 million. The Mavs will have competition for the 7-foot, 26-year-old Diop. The Miami Heat is reportedly interested.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Mark Cuban, Brian Bahr/Getty Images Mark Cuban, Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Comments (16) Add A Comment

July 1, 2008  07:44 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Mark needs to call Diop personally and issue an apology for that silly trade.

July 1, 2008  08:52 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Diop was traded but the Mavs knew that Diop will be coming back to Dallas. Diop also knows that his bes opportunity is in Dallas. Anywhere else they wouldn't know what to do w/ him.

July 1, 2008  09:09 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I like Diop but I have to say, if this is all the Mavs end up having to talk about before next season then it is going to be a LONG season. I'm trying to be optimistic and leave all the problems on Avery but Kidd has got to show some WOW factor under the new coach or the Mavs are sunk. I'm hoping a big trade is being talked about in secret and I will be surprised one day. You never know...

July 1, 2008  09:49 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I think Mark Cuban is a good guy, but he makes some really terrible basketball decisions. TheDude, I totally agree with you. If Diop is your big offseason excitement, something is definitely wrong.

July 1, 2008  11:01 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Diop, though very limited, is going to be very rich very soon.

July 1, 2008  11:45 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

4-5 mill

He is a defensive presence and decent rebounder

July 1, 2008  12:43 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Dallas is saying that the team as currently constructed is of championship caliber.

Ya, we'll see....

July 1, 2008  12:58 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

$5 million for a guy who had 2pts, 5rebounds last year? The Mavs are really guard heavy if they need to sign Diop to help them win...

July 1, 2008  01:00 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Does anyone else think that last season's big trades were all flip-flopped? That Shaq would have been a perfect fit in Dallas, Gasol in Phoenix, and Kidd in LA? None of the teams really filled their deficiencies except for Phoenix, but Shaq clashed with their style of play.

July 1, 2008  01:03 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

If you are in need of a center to BACK UP Erik Dampier, there is already a problem--and if DeSagana Diop is a priority, you've misplayed your hand somewhere. Dampier himself should be a back-up. And the idiot that said that this team "as currently constructed" is of championship calibre, should be fired immediately

July 1, 2008  01:04 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

no shaq actually blended in he made amare better and diop is a good shot blocker that's probly y they want him. interior DEFENSE

July 1, 2008  01:07 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Diop would be a good fit, but if I were Dallas, Alonzo Mourning would be better. If you sign him to a 1-year deal, when his contract expires, you can go out next season and get a starting center. Miami really needs a player like Diop anyway.

July 1, 2008  04:21 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I hate to say it, but even though I hate the idiot, maybe Miami should consider Kwame Brown at the center spot. We know he's not going to be an allstar, but he's big and strong and will cost less, but will probably give a similar output that Diop will.

July 1, 2008  10:08 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

A short-tempered failure, Cuban has turned out to be.

July 2, 2008  12:50 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

if Riley thinks about diop he is an idiot!

 
July 8, 2008  05:07 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

If the Mavericks could dump Dampier, they would have a long time ago. It's not like anybody else wants him. I would also hardly call Cuban's tenure a failure; he's resurrected the franchise in his time here.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Send us feedback about the new site here Send us feedback about the new site here

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Witness: Pacman was yelling at girlfriend
    Views
    12196
    Comments
    1785
  2. 2
    Red flag on Teixeira
    Views
    8399
    Comments
    471
  3. 3
    Why Andruw Jones won't join Dodgers
    Views
    39933
    Comments
    81
  4. 4
    Browns DE trash talks Giants RB
    Views
    7107
    Comments
    75
  5. 5
    Huskies eyeing Mizzou's Pinkel?
    Views
    6999
    Comments
    69

Weekly Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

Message Boards

  1. MMA > Fight Club

    Would you rather see Arlovski…
    Views
    512
    Replies
    6

  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Around the Table
    Views
    92
    Replies
    47

  3. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Who's got the best tailgate…
    Views
    40
    Replies
    12

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

Bar RefaeliBar Refaeli
Jessica TrainhamJessica Trainham

SI Photos

Did You See That?Did You See That?
NFL's Quadruple ThreatsNFL's Quadruple Threats