DALLAS – The Mavericks have been shopping 2010 first-round pick Dominique Jones without success, according to league sources, which means that the release of guard Delonte West remains the most likely roster moving coming from the team later Monday.
The Mavs need to trim their roster from 16 to 15 players by the leaguewide deadline of 4 p.m. Finding a taker for Jones would buy them more time to resolve the future of the suspended West, but sources told ESPN.com that – with no takers emerging for Jones – parting with West remains the most probable move to create a spot for Eddy Curry.
With projected starter Chris Kaman still dealing with a strained right calf and Brandan Wright (ankle) also hobbling, Curry is unexpectedly in line to start at center for Dallas in Tuesday night’s season opener in L.A. against the mighty Lakers even though he just joined the team Thursday when Dallas claimed Curry off waivers from San Antonio.
The Mavs, by all indications, have no plans to exercise the team option for the final season of Jones’ rookie contract before Wednesday’s midnight deadline, which will make the 24-year-old an unrestricted free agent next summer.
It is painfully obvious that Jones, who has averaged 2.5 points and 1.2 assists in 51 career games, doesn’t fit into the Mavs’ picture this season, either. Jones did not play in the preseason finale due to a coach’s decision when Rick Carlisle was trying out various combinations to determine who he can deploy as the backup point guard with West out.
“I guess you can say it’s a difficult situation on the outside looking in,” Jones said Friday night. “But no worries. I know I’m going to be OK with basketball, because I know I can play.”
