Haywood could fill huge hole for Mavs
The consensus from the Dallas decision-makers is that Butler is so much better that it'd be worth sacrificing the financial freedom represented by the team option for next season in Howard's contract.
But adding big man Brendan Haywood to the discussion, as ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports is the case, makes it a move well worth making for the Mavs.
Haywood would fill a huge role on the Mavs' roster, especially since they can't be certain that Erick Dampier will completely recover from his knee problems this season. The Mavs desperately need a paint-protecting, shot-blocking, rebound-snatching big man to help solve their defensive woes.
The 7-0, 263-pound Haywood, who ranks among the NBA's top 10 in rebounds (10.3) and blocked shots (2.06), would do that. And he's not an awful offensive player, averaging 9.8 points on 56-percent shooting.
Haywood, 30, will be a free-agent this summer when the Mavs will once again be searching for a long-term solution at center. This trade would allow Haywood and the Mavs a test run -- and give Dallas the big man's Bird rights, putting them in good position to keep him around.
Tim MacMahon
ESPNDallas.com- Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
- Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
- Worked at Dallas Morning News for six years
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jeff Caplan
Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
Marc Stein
Marc Stein began writing for ESPN.com in 2000 and signed on full-time in 2002 as Senior NBA Writer. He also makes regular appearances on "SportsCenter," "NBA Shootaround," "NBA Fastbreak," "NBA Coast To Coast," ESPNEWS, ESPN "First Take" and ESPN Radio.
Jeff "Skin" Wade
Jeff Wade joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2009. He is one half of "The Ben & Skin Show," heard weekdays from 9a-12p on 103.3 FM ESPN, and also works as sideline analyst for the TV broadcast of all Maverick home games.
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TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dirk Nowitzki
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.4 | ||||||||||
| Assists | J. Kidd | 5.5 | ||||||||||
| Steals | J. Kidd | 1.7 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | B. Wright | 1.3 | ||||||||||
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