Sources: D.J. Mbenga to join Mavs training camp
Despite the Mavericks' current lack of roster room, they are interested in adding one more center for depth even after the offseason acquisitions of Chris Kaman and Elton Brand.
The Mavericks have also been linked with Brazilian center Rafael Hettsheimeir, who plays in Spain, but they know Mbenga well after finding him in Belgium and bringing the 7-footer to the NBA during the 2004-05 season.
RTBF in Belgium reported that Mbenga turned down contract offers in China and Greece for the opportunity to try to convince the Mavs to shed one of their guaranteed contracts to make room for him.
Mbenga, 32, last played in the NBA with New Orleans in 2010-11 and was part of two championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers after leaving Dallas.
If Mbenga fails to make the Mavs' roster, his D-League rights will be held by the Texas Legends and make him eligible to play for former teammate Eduardo Najera, who was named last month as the Legends' new coach.
Marc Stein | email
Senior Writer, ESPN.com• Began covering the NBA in 1993-94
• Also covered soccer, tennis and the Olympics
ABOUT THIS BLOG
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.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast Chuck Cooperstein joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Coop is staying true to his pick that the Spurs will win in six games and says that the Heat's legacy is on the line.
Play Podcast Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle gives his take on the NBA Finals, talks about the Nets' decision to hire Jason Kidd, the advice he'd give Kidd about being a head coach in the NBA and more.
Play Podcast ESPN's Scott Van Pelt joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to talk about the U.S. Open and the NBA Finals.
Play Podcast ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the latest Mavericks news, Jason Kidd's interest in coaching the Nets and the NBA Finals.
Play Podcast ESPN senior NBA analyst Marc Stein joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the NBA Finals and latest Mavericks news.
Play Podcast Dirk Nowitzki joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett live in studio to discuss the moves he expects the Mavericks to make this summer, what his pitch would be to Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, and his upcoming Heroes Celebrity baseball game.
Play Podcast Hubie Brown joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss every angle of Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals and whether he would want Dwight Howard on his team.
Play Podcast Galloway & Company discuss Chris Paul's situation with the Clippers. Paul is unhappy being linked to the firing of his former coach. Could he join the Mavericks?
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dirk Nowitzki
|
|||||||||||
| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | D. Collison | 5.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | D. Collison | 1.2 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | E. Brand | 1.3 | ||||||||||
You must be signed in to post a comment