Truth & Rumors > NBA
Heat, Mavericks chasing Diop
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.
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Jessica Gomes
Jarah Mariano



Comments (16) Add A Comment
Mark needs to call Diop personally and issue an apology for that silly trade.
maxwellinformed
Big D, TX
Total Comments (1072)
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.
Guam Baller
Total Comments (3100)
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...
TheDude
Total Comments (1233)
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.
bertchboy7
New York , NY
Total Comments (338)
Diop, though very limited, is going to be very rich very soon.
Tell it like it is
Total Comments (2552)
4-5 mill
He is a defensive presence and decent rebounder
djroxalot: Welcome…
South Central Los Angeles, CA
Total Comments (19361)
Dallas is saying that the team as currently constructed is of championship caliber.
Ya, we'll see....
pencilneckgeek
Total Comments (256)
$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...
Noam129
Glendale , AZ
Total Comments (389)
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.
Noam129
Glendale , AZ
Total Comments (389)
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
Hllywd: Old…
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (7904)
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
ahung: The Last…
Santa Clara , CA
Total Comments (2775)
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.
Denis24
Total Comments (2679)
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.
Heater
Miami , FL
Total Comments (981)
A short-tempered failure, Cuban has turned out to be.
YODA
Total Comments (16863)
if Riley thinks about diop he is an idiot!
the dee of Dees
Total Comments (2274)
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.
theintangiblefatman
Houston , TX
Total Comments (5)
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