Mavs update--not much to report

[MavsFanFinley]

Finley signing delayed a day
Cap haggling slows NBA deals

07/19/2001

By Jodie Valade / The Dallas Morning News

Michael Finley really did want to re-sign with the Mavericks on Wednesday. Honest.

And the Dallas All-Star guard still is prepared to sign his maximum seven-year, $102 million contract with the Mavericks just as soon as he can. Really.

But because of a salary-cap snag that was not resolved until Wednesday evening, Finley delayed official announcement of his return to Dallas for one more day.

The Mavericks are expected to announce Finley's signing Thursday.

Haggling over the exact salary-cap figure between the NBA and the NBA player's union forced the delay of most of the deals around the league and handcuffed the Mavericks from completing their top-priority signing of the summer.

Salary-cap talks between the league and the player's union broke off late Tuesday because of what was described by the NBA's legal counsel as an "11th-hour demand" by the union.

In the meantime, the league issued an interim salary cap, set at $35.956 million, just a nudge up from last year's $35.5 million. Teams had worked on deals throughout the negotiation period with the assumption that the salary cap would be set at $42.5 million – the figure that was finally agreed upon Wednesday night.

And since Finley's maximum deal is calculated by using the salary cap – he earns 25 percent of the figure – his salary could not be determined until the number was firm.

"We can't do anything till it's set," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said.

So Finley did not re-sign Wednesday, nor did the fiercely private player share his first comments on the free agent process and his decision to return to the Mavericks. Both those occurrences should to take place soon, with Finley expected to address the media by next week.

Deals with other Mavericks free agents, Shawn Bradley and Calvin Booth, are expected to follow after Finley's contract is resolved.

Bowen interest


While understandings with their own free agents are firm, the Mavericks continue to explore options with other available players – waiting for dominoes to fall after top free agent Chris Webber makes a decision.

"Once we see where Webber goes, a lot will happen," Cuban said.

Officially added to the Mavericks' interest list is Miami free agent Bruce Bowen, a defensive-minded swingman. Cuban talked with Bowen's agent last week and the Mavericks are one of a handful of teams Bowen is considering.

The Mavericks have hoped to acquire two players with its $4.5 mid-level salary cap exception, but Bowen has other appealing options that might force the Mavericks to offer more.

"Bruce has an interest in playing for Dallas, but he would not be interested in just splitting the exception," said his agent, Steve Kauffman.

With talks with the Heat breaking down, Bowen's initial leaning now is toward the San Antonio Spurs, but a deal with the Spurs appears contingent upon whether Derek Anderson re-signs with the club.

No Run TMC


The bid for a Run-TMC reunion in Dallas ended Wednesday when Mitch Richmond agreed to sign with the LA Lakers. Part of the trio from Golden State that also included Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin and was coached by current Mavericks coach Don Nelson, the Mavericks had hoped to lure the 36-year-old guard to Dallas.

The Mavericks, though, still are in the running for Hardaway.

"Dallas is interested in Tim and Tim is interested in Dallas," said Henry Thomas, Hardaway's agent.

Thomas said Hardaway has generated more interest league-wide this summer, but Dallas remains a top contender.