As much as the Mavericks used to dislike having to deal with Shawn Marion, they probably didn't realize all those years when he was with Phoenix that the feeling was mutual, particularly where Dirk Nowitzki was concerned.
"We had a nice little rivalry going back then," Marion said. "I had to guard him so much. It's going to be great playing with Dirk now because he used to be a handful. For me, when I had to guard him, I knew it was going to be a tough night." Marion joined the Mavericks on Thursday when the NBA approved the four-team trade that included eight players, a draft pick and tons of cash considerations. Marion will have a five-year contract believed to start at about $6.4 million for 2009-10. The total worth is believed to be slightly over $38 million.
Marion, the four-time All-Star who now has been with four teams in the last 18 months, hopes he's found a home with the Mavericks .
He said it's an adjustment being in one system for so long and now having been on three teams without getting a chance to settle in. But with the Mavericks , he sees a legitimate chance to compete for a championship.
"Why not?" he said. "Everybody starts training camp with those aspirations. Now I've got the security and a great home. That's what anybody would want."
Bass probably headed out: While Thursday was a red-letter day in Mavericks history it may have also been the end of Brandon Bass' time with the organization.
President of Basketball operations Donnie Nelson said Bass is likely to sign elsewhere, perhaps choosing among Portland, Orlando and Detroit.
"We have nothing but love for Brandon, and if there's any way we can help him get somewhere in the form of a sign-and-trade, we'll be happy to do it," Nelson said. "From a purely financial standpoint, it just looks like he will end up elsewhere."
Bass probably will sign somewhere for around $3.5 million or $4 million per year. The Mavericks feel they have Bass' minutes spoken for now with Marion and James Singleton, whom they are hopeful to re-sign soon.
Briefly: The Mavericks are not sure whether Greg Buckner will be back for a third tour of duty with the team. He has a buyout in his contract similar to what Jerry Stackhouse had, but on a smaller scale. But the Mavericks probably will hold onto Buckner for a while in case he is useful in future trade discussions. ... The Mavericks probably aren't done this summer. "There are no times to take a breath in July," Nelson said. "That doesn't happen until August."
