Jamison isn't going anywhere

As bad as things have been for the Mavericks, their attention has not yet turned to next season.

That's why one recent online report that Antawn Jamison would relocate this summer to his hometown Charlotte Bobcats caught the Mavericks by surprise. That it has virtually no chance of happening made it surprising, too.

The most surprised person might have been Bobcats general manager and coach Bernie Bickerstaff. He cannot talk about players until May 5, but Bickerstaff outlined his strategy for building the Bobcats' roster, and it certainly didn't sound as if the Mavericks' sixth man is in Charlotte's future.

The gossip was that the Bobcats would part with their first draft pick, No. 4 overall, and acquire Jamison, who has four more seasons on his contract at a total salary of more than $57 million.

"Our first pick is very valuable to us," Bickerstaff said. "It would have to be something monumental for us to consider" moving it.

Bickerstaff also said the team is not interested in a long-term, max- imum salary such as Jamison's.

"The veterans that we want are guys with one or two years left [on their contracts] who are good in the locker room and can help our young kids," Bickerstaff said. "Our kids are going to be the show."

Though Jamison, 27, was born and raised in Charlotte and remains heavily involved in the community, his immediate future figures to be in Dallas. "I knew that wasn't going to happen," he said. "That's too much salary [$12.584 million next year] for them."

Via Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Bobcats

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Riley denies Dallas rumor

As much as playoff possibilities hovered over Friday night's Mavericks-Heat game at AmericanAirlines Arena, there also was a tangible subtext.

Fueled by rumors, but strong enough to elicit responses from both parties, is the notion that Pat Riley could emerge from the Heat front office to take over next season on the Dallas sidelines.

The reports have coincided with the Mavericks' inability to produce quality, Riley-like defense during Don Nelson's coaching tenure.

With one year left on his front-office commitment to the Heat, Riley said there is no credence to the speculation.

"It is absolutely irresponsible journalism," he said. "If anybody throws my name out there, like that, for any team, any organization, it's absolutely irresponsible and it's wrong.

"It's irresponsible because there's nothing to it, absolutely nothing to it. I have to deal with it, we have to deal with it, but when my owner looks at it, he's wondering and it's not fair."

Via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks

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Finley out against Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Dallas Mavericks guard Michael Finley did not dress for Wednesday night's game against the Indiana Pacers because of a strained right calf.

Finley was injured in Monday's 107-98 loss to Philadelphia. He scored 10 points in the game.

Finley is Dallas' second-leading scorer, averaging 18.9 points a game.

Rookie Marquis Daniels started in his place.

Via Associated Press

Dallas Mavericks

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