Mavs expose Walker to draft

[ddh33]

Status of forward's contract could interest expansion Bobcats


09:10 PM CDT on Friday, June 11, 2004


By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News



Antoine Walker is among four players the Mavericks left unprotected for the expansion draft that will take place later this month.

All NBA teams except for the two still playing in the NBA Finals had to submit their list of eight protected players to the Charlotte Bobcats by Friday.

According to two sources, the Mavericks left off Walker, who started all 82 games last season after being acquired in a trade that sent Raef LaFrentz to Boston. They also left Tariq Abdul-Wahad, Danny Fortson and Tony Delk unprotected.

Walker, a forward, is entering the final year of a contract that will pay him $14.65 million. If the Bobcats select Walker, it would give the Mavericks a trade exception for $13.5 million, which is what Walker earned this season. That exception could be used to acquire any player or players earning that sum.

The Bobcats must select at least 14 players in the expansion draft, and no more than one from each team.

The thinking around the league is that Bobcats head coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff will search for financial bargains in the expansion draft, making it unlikely he would take a high salary such as Walker's. But since Walker's contract is up after next season, he may have some value in trade scenarios that could convince the Bobcats to take him.

The expansion draft is June 22 or 23, depending on when the NBA Finals end.

Harris, Hawks still waiting: Mavericks assistant coach Del Harris remains one of the top candidates for the Atlanta Hawks head-coaching position.

The Hawks continue to talk to several other interested parties, including Detroit assistant coach Mike Woodson and Indiana assistant Mike Brown. However, it is believed that the Hawks are more interested in somebody with head-coaching experience. Harris has been a head coach for 13 years.

After arriving back from China earlier this week, Harris said he's waiting regarding the Hawks' job and would prefer not to comment.

The Hawks have given no timetable for a hiring to replace Terry Stotts other than sometime this month.

E-mail esefko@dallasnews.com


MAVERICKS AT RISK
PROTECTED EXPOSED
Shawn Bradley Tariq Abdul-Wahad
Marquis Daniels Tony Delk
Michael Finley Danny Fortson
Josh Howard Antoine Walker
Antawn Jamison
FREE AGENTS
Eduardo Najera Travis Best
Dirk Nowitzki Steve Nash
Jon Stefansson Scott Williams


*-Unrestricted free agents cannot be selected in the expansion draft.