The Dallas Morning News' Jodie Valade reports that the Mavs trade for Tim Hardaway may be finalized as early as Wednesday. The Mavericks are surrendering their $3.2 million trade exception and a second-round pick to secure the free-agent point guard.
In the sign-and-trade deal, Hardaway will reportedly sign a three year, $10 million contract. Three years is the minimum he can sign for in a sign-and-trade, but only one year has to be guaranteed.
According to Art Garcia of the Dallas Star-Telegram, the second round pick must be sent to Miami by the 2004 draft, at Dallas' discretion. There is no indication whether it must be Dallas' own.
In a related article, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports: With Hardaway's status on the verge of being clarified, it leaves free-agent power forward Anthony Mason as the next big-ticket decision for the Heat. The Milwaukee Bucks appear the front-runner for the All-Star forward, but Philadelphia and Indiana are possibilities.
Among those linked to Mason in trade talk have been Milwaukee forward Darvin Ham, Indiana guard Travis Best and Philadelphia guard Eric Snow.