~Sarah1

Frees up some salary-room if he doesn't re-sign, but also takes away a pretty strung hustler.  Not necessarily a bad thing though...What do y'all think?

MavsRandy <randykessel@gmail.com> wrote:

Mavericks' George to become free agent

01:19 AM CDT on Saturday, June 30, 2007

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com

The Mavericks began phase two of their off-season roster-tweaking Friday by recruiting undrafted free agents, while getting the news that their job in free-agency got a little tougher.

And, of course, they had to put up with the hot rumor of the day.

The biggest news involved Devean George, who elected to become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday, the day 2007-08 contracts kick in. The Mavericks were alerted by George's agent, Mark Bartelstein, that the 6-8 swingman would forego the second year of the contract he signed with the Mavericks last summer. He would have earned $2.16 million next season.

Instead, he is free to sign with any team, including the Mavericks. His agent told the Mavs that George enjoyed his season in Dallas and there's a good chance he will return. But George felt compelled to test the open market.

George was productive at times for the Mavericks last season, though he fought health issues. He had a knee injury in February that cost him almost a month. He played in 60 games and was an occasional starter, averaging 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game.

Teams can begin talking to their own free agents and those from other teams Sunday. Until then, team personnel is prohibited from discussing free agents.

However, one free agent who isn't in the NBA appears to be off the Mavericks' chart. Theodoros Papaloukas, 30, a 6-7 Greek guard who is available on the open market, is not expected to be coming to Dallas. Toronto and Memphis are believed to be the leaders for his services.

The Mavericks were hoping to bring in a few rookies who slipped through Thursday's draft. Caleb Green of Oral Roberts and Warren Carter, an Illinois product who went to Lake Highlands High School, have committed to the Mavericks' summer league team.

As for the rumor, the Mavericks were linked in speculation with the Minnesota Timberwolves about a trade for Kevin Garnett, but that speculation proved groundless.

Draft choices Nick Fazekas (taken 34th overall) and Reyshawn Terry (44) are expected to join the team this weekend and, barring any snags, sign contracts so that they can compete in the summer league. The Mavs' team will open Tuesday against China's national team as part of the Global Games at SMU's Moody Coliseum.

The first game of that event features China against the USA Basketball under-19 team at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Cuban has surgery: Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was doing well after undergoing hip replacement surgery Friday morning, the team said. The operation to replace his left hip took 1 ½ hours. Cuban, 48, is expected to remain hospitalized two to three days and will be on crutches about three weeks but is expected to be able to resume normal activity afterward.

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Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha!
Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games.