Mavs get Devean George
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...mavs/stories/080206dnspomavslede.44b8add.html
Mavs, George agree to terms
[SIZE=+1][/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]
12:35 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 2, 2006
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]
By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News[/SIZE]
The three championship rings that Devean George won playing alongside Shaq and Kobe gets everybody's attention.
The Mavericks saw even more in George, which will lead the 6-8 swingman to sign a two-year contract with the team today if he passes a routine physical.
George agreed to a two-year contract worth $4.2 million, agent Mark Bartelstein said.
Mavericks/NBA Mavs, George agree to terms
George's bio, stats
Schedule opens with Spurs
2006-07 schedule
Chat wrap: Mavs are deep
More Mavericks
The deal includes a player option for the second year.
George could compete with Greg Buckner in training camp to replace Adrian Griffin at shooting guard. George has played small forward most of his career.
Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said the team was "lucky" to sign George with the $2 million remaining on this year's mid-level exception.
"We like gritty, hard-nosed, defensive minded players who do whatever it takes to win, and he's in that category," Nelson said. "He's pretty much the embodiment of what we were looking for."
The Mavericks made acquiring veterans with significant playoff experience a priority after blowing a 2-0 lead over the Miami Heat in the franchise's first NBA Finals appearance.
George won championships his first three seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers. He wants to add to his collection.
"I know what it feels like it to win," George said. "It's a great feeling. It's something you want to have all the time."
George liked what he heard talking with coach Avery Johnson about 10 days ago.
Owner Mark Cuban sealed the deal Monday, in a 20-minute phone conversation. George heard that the Mavericks had an interest and available playing time.
"It helps," Cuban wrote in an e-mail about George's championship experience, "but the key is getting great players that can fit Avery's system and fill needs."
George was a blue-collar reserve on the Lakers' title teams, drawing playoff defensive assignments as varied as Manu Ginobili, Peja Stojakovic and (briefly) Reggie Miller. And there were the daily practice matchups with Kobe Bryant.
"My focus wasn't on scoring," George said. "It was bringing energy to the game. ... That's what I had to do in LA. That was my niche."
George's signing gives the Mavericks 14 roster players. The number should grow. The team has agreed on a one-year contract with a team option for undrafted rookie Pops Mensah-Bonsu if he passes a physical this week, Nelson said. The 6-9 George Washington product was impressive with the Mavericks summer league team.
The Mavericks might pursue a sign-and-trade deal involving unrestricted free agent Keith Van Horn.
"Everything is wide open," Nelson said.
(You do know he gave himself that name, don't you??) 
