The Dallas Mavericks on Friday released 7-foot-5 Russian center Pavel Podkolzin, a former first-round pick who played just six games in two seasons.

The move came a day after the Mavericks signed undrafted free agent Pops Mensah-Bonsu, a 6-foot-9 forward from George Washington who got the team's attention with solid summer league play.

Podkolzin, who was acquired from Utah after being picked 21st in the 2004 draft, missed the first 59 games of last season with a broken right foot. He averaged 0.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 4.7 minutes in his six games. He spent some time with Fort Worth of the NBDL but was no longer eligible to play there.

"Pavel has made big strides and had a very bright future, but at 21 years of age, playing experience is imperative to his development," said Donnie Nelson, Dallas' president of basketball operations.