P.J. Brown On Mavs' Radar?

[Windmill360]

Mavs aren't looking to deal, but a Bulls move could help them

11:40 PM CST on Thursday, January 25, 2007
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com

CHICAGO – As the Mavericks visited Bears-frenzied Chicago on Thursday night, there was hardly enough room on the Windy City's sports docket to squeeze in a few good trade rumors about the Bulls.

They are whispers that could, at some point, impact the Mavericks.

The Bulls, because of their surplus of young, talented wing and perimeter players, will be strong players in trade talks before the Feb. 22 deadline. With Memphis' Pau Gasol and Minnesota's Kevin Garnett possibly on the block and the Bulls desperately seeking a low-post scorer, it's going to be a lively month for them.

One of their bargaining chips in trade talks is 6-11 P.J. Brown, who has had a rock-solid career and still is productive as a 37-year-old in his 14th season. He's also in the final year of his contract, making him attractive trade bait.

If Brown somehow were to go to a team that merely wanted that expiring contract, he could be waived and available for a bargain price.

The Mavericks don't have a lot of glaring weaknesses, but backup play behind Dirk Nowitzki has been an issue. Aside from another shooter – which every team in the league could use – another big man who can defend and score a little is the only item on their wish list.

Avery Johnson has an appreciation for players like Brown.

"I think he's been awfully good his whole career," Johnson said. "He's always been a stabilizer for his team with rebounding and in the paint. And he's always been really professional."

Many dominoes would have to fall for Brown to become available. But he's clearly the sort of player who is on the Mavs' radar.

Hairy situation: Austin Croshere had the line of the day at Thursday's shootaround when he was asked about the reserve players' decision to grow beards.

"The fact we've been doing it for 10 days and nobody's noticed tells you how it's going," Croshere said.

That is, some of the backups are having trouble cultivating follicles. DeSagana Diop, for example, has never shaved his cheeks. "I've never had to," he said. "It won't grow there."

The idea to grow beards was Jerry Stackhouse's brainstorm. Oddly, Stackhouse was clean-shaven Thursday night, having tried unsuccessfully to trim up his beard. Croshere has a healthy growth, and Greg Buckner and Anthony Johnson are starting to look a little shaggy.

The show of unity is fine by Avery Johnson, who has no rules against facial hair on his team, especially since the owner sports a goatee.

Briefly: The Mavericks, at $463 million, rate No. 3 on the Forbes magazine list of most valuable NBA franchises. The New York Knicks lead the annual list at $592 million, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks, Chicago and Houston. ... Devean George was getting some love from Johnson before Thursday's game with regard to his rebounding. "He knows how to rebound, and he has a nose for the ball, too," Johnson said of the 6-8 George. "Those dogs at the airport that sniff through that stuff, he's like that." At least, we think that was a compliment.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...on_mavs_radar/

[HexNBA]

So they like him, but that's about al there is to this story. Thanks Sefko.

[FiZth]

Dont belive its going to happend but i liked to see P.J. Brown in Mavericks roster. He would be nice addition to Averys system.

[shaw-xx]

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