Mavs to talk with Howard this weekCuban, Nelson will be at ceremony honoring forward in hometown12:50 AM CDT on Thursday, September 21, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning NewsThe Mavericks continue to talk about a contract extension for Josh Howard, owner Mark Cuban said Wednesday, and the parties will have a good chance to take negotiations further this weekend.Howard, Cuban, coach Avery Johnson and president Donnie Nelson will represent the Mavericks in Winston-Salem, N.C., at the dedication of a new basketball court in Howard's hometown Saturday. The outdoor court is at the recreation center where Howard grew up playing.The court will be emblazoned with Howard's signature and the initials of his mother and grandmother, for whom the court is dedicated.Howard has one year left on his rookie contract. The Mavericks have the option of extending it. If they cannot agree on an extension, Howard would become a restricted free agent July 1.Howard's agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not return phone messages.The 6-7 Howard is coming off his best season, averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in the regular season and 16.7 points and 7.4 rebounds in the playoffs.Nelson said the Mavericks, who have their sights firmly set on a championship after losing in the Finals last season, would like to get something done with Howard before training camp opens Oct. 3. The fewer distractions, the better."Everybody prefers to find the common ground and get some security for both sides," Nelson said. "We're going in a decent direction and there's a pretty good possibility something can get done. But there's no real sense of urgency. If for some reason nothing happens, then he plays for us this season and we revisit it next summerhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...rt.3142d32.html
Hmm, perhaps those parties are to make him feel more welcome and, oh say, lower his asking amount? LOL. Stupid idea. We'll see. They do treat players very well though.
What we need to do is get this thing wrapped up. He was a major part of our success last season. I loved how well he played for us in the playoffs, Most people only remember him for the disaster timeout he called during the Heat series. He actually played very well throughout the playoffs other than that mistake he made which was understandable.
If we don't extend him by the deadline, we have to trade him. Enough said. Otherwise the risk of losing him is great and we could be in for another Steve Cash. There was another article that stated if they don't come to an agreement, they'll wait till after the season. That's awful and hopefully it doesn't come to that. He's either inked by Oct. or gone by Feb. Cubes has to play it smart.
