The Mavericks picked up some much-needed frontline help by agreeing to terms with free agent Juwan Howard today. The contract can?t be completed until Howard clears waivers tomorrow

Howard (6-9, 253) hit the open market after Minnesota bought out his contract and should join the Mavs on the season-opening two-game road trip, perhaps as early as Wednesday night at Cleveland. The power forward has averaged 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds over his 12-year career, including a stint in Dallas over parts of two seasons (2000-01 and ?01-02).

?Juwan was too big of an opportunity to pass up,? president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson told mavs.com. ?Juwan is a winner, he?s a leader and he knows the Maverick way.

?He can swing from the ?4? to ?5,? so it gives us tremendous flexibility on the frontline.?