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aexchange · 02-13-2010, 10:16 AM

Looks like its a done deal.

Mavericks reach tentative deal to trade Howard, Gooden for Wizards' Caron Butler, Haywood
03:59 AM CST on Saturday, February 13, 2010

Josh Howard's tenure with the Mavericks, which began with quality production but eroded into inconsistency and controversy, is coming to an end.

The Mavericks have reached a tentative agreement to send Howard, Drew Gooden and two other players to Washington for swingman Caron Butler, center Brendan Haywood and guard DeShawn Stevenson, numerous NBA sources said Friday.

Though the deal still needs league approval, both sides have agreed on the moving parts in a trade that will cost the Mavericks more money but also brings them more talent, at least in the short run.

Butler is under contract through next season, at a cost of more than $10.5 million. He figures to slide into the role that Howard was playing, although he also could end up starting if Jason Terry is moved back to the sixth-man role.

Haywood, who is averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds, is in the final season of his contract, which pays him $6 million. The Mavericks will face the decision of re-signing him in the summer.

Stevenson has been a bit player for the Wizards and is under contract through 2010-11 at $4.1 million.

The Mavericks will be sending James Singleton and Quinton Ross along with Gooden and Howard, who has had a wild 6 ½ seasons with the Mavericks.

He was an All-Star in 2007, when he averaged 18.9 points in 70 games. But that was about the time his troubles began. He admitted during the playoffs that season to using marijuana in the off-season. During that summer, he was caught on someone's cell phone video at a charity flag football game disrespecting the national anthem. This season, Howard has struggled to regain his form after ankle surgery in the summer. He has averaged 12.5 points and 3.6 rebounds, although he had begun to pick up his play in the last few games before the All-Star break.

Gooden has been a valuable asset in relief of Erick Dampier, but his $4.5 million salary was needed to make the trade work under NBA guidelines.

As word filtered out Friday that the deal was essentially done, several experts believe it is a good, aggressive deal by the Mavericks.

"It's a great trade for the Mavericks," said TNT analyst Charles Barkley. "They're going to be happy with Caron Butler. He's going to be really good with Jason Kidd."

Added NBA TV analyst Steve Smith: "They weren't going anywhere the way they were. It's going to make them better. Butler needed to get out of Washington."

Butler, 29, is averaging 16.9 points, down from his 20.8 average of last season. But he also grabs 6.7 rebounds this season. The thinking is that he was not a good fit with coach Flip Saunders' style in Washington.

Haywood is a 7-footer who averages 2.1 blocks per game and shoots better than 56 percent from the field this season.

The thinking is that the Wizards may use either Singleton or Ross, or perhaps both, to facilitate another trade.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, will have 13 players under contract, giving them space to sign another player if one is waived or they have their eye on somebody from the NBA Development League.

02-13-2010, 10:16 AM	#20
aexchange Boom goes the Dynamite! Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 4,008	Looks like its a done deal. Mavericks reach tentative deal to trade Howard, Gooden for Wizards' Caron Butler, Haywood 03:59 AM CST on Saturday, February 13, 2010 Josh Howard's tenure with the Mavericks, which began with quality production but eroded into inconsistency and controversy, is coming to an end. The Mavericks have reached a tentative agreement to send Howard, Drew Gooden and two other players to Washington for swingman Caron Butler, center Brendan Haywood and guard DeShawn Stevenson, numerous NBA sources said Friday. Though the deal still needs league approval, both sides have agreed on the moving parts in a trade that will cost the Mavericks more money but also brings them more talent, at least in the short run. Butler is under contract through next season, at a cost of more than $10.5 million. He figures to slide into the role that Howard was playing, although he also could end up starting if Jason Terry is moved back to the sixth-man role. Haywood, who is averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds, is in the final season of his contract, which pays him $6 million. The Mavericks will face the decision of re-signing him in the summer. Stevenson has been a bit player for the Wizards and is under contract through 2010-11 at $4.1 million. The Mavericks will be sending James Singleton and Quinton Ross along with Gooden and Howard, who has had a wild 6 ½ seasons with the Mavericks. He was an All-Star in 2007, when he averaged 18.9 points in 70 games. But that was about the time his troubles began. He admitted during the playoffs that season to using marijuana in the off-season. During that summer, he was caught on someone's cell phone video at a charity flag football game disrespecting the national anthem. This season, Howard has struggled to regain his form after ankle surgery in the summer. He has averaged 12.5 points and 3.6 rebounds, although he had begun to pick up his play in the last few games before the All-Star break. Gooden has been a valuable asset in relief of Erick Dampier, but his $4.5 million salary was needed to make the trade work under NBA guidelines. As word filtered out Friday that the deal was essentially done, several experts believe it is a good, aggressive deal by the Mavericks. "It's a great trade for the Mavericks," said TNT analyst Charles Barkley. "They're going to be happy with Caron Butler. He's going to be really good with Jason Kidd." Added NBA TV analyst Steve Smith: "They weren't going anywhere the way they were. It's going to make them better. Butler needed to get out of Washington." Butler, 29, is averaging 16.9 points, down from his 20.8 average of last season. But he also grabs 6.7 rebounds this season. The thinking is that he was not a good fit with coach Flip Saunders' style in Washington. Haywood is a 7-footer who averages 2.1 blocks per game and shoots better than 56 percent from the field this season. The thinking is that the Wizards may use either Singleton or Ross, or perhaps both, to facilitate another trade. The Mavericks, meanwhile, will have 13 players under contract, giving them space to sign another player if one is waived or they have their eye on somebody from the NBA Development League.