<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Mavericks' Mbenga out for seasonLittle-used center suffered torn ACL on Wednesday 01:40 PM CST on Thursday, February 8, 2007From Staff Reports Mavericks center DJ Mbenga is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Mbenga was injured Wednesday during the Mavericks' 113-97 victory over Memhis. He will undergo surgery in the next two weeks, and there is no timetable for his return. Mbenga has played in 21 games this season, averaging 0.8 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.24 blocks in 3.8 minutes. The native of Congo is in his third season with the Mavericks.</div>LinkI'm not really feeling good about this. Really think we should try and pick up a 3rd string center.
This does suck, I wasn't really exhuberent about our depth in the frontcourt, mainly due to George's size, Diop's backtrack, and Croshere's inconsistency. Still solid because of the guys we could throw in case of a situation. Looked like Benga was having a coming out of sort last night but with him out for the year. I'm a little worried. Simply because if Damp or Diop are hurt, were in a tough situation. Like pj said, I would like to see a small deal(David Lord pointed this out as an increasing possibility with the Benga news). Dale Davis and PJ Brown came to my mind first. I think we could swing AJ for Dale. This allows the Pistons to get their pg, Mavs get their third string vet center for the playoffs. Also, allows Barea the more suited pg to man the third string. PJ might be a little harder, possibly for Croshere? But I really like Dale and feel that's the best deal. Any other ideas?
Damn this sucks. Dallas has lost some of their depth at the center position. Devean George would probably get the nod over Mbenga anway and they would go small. It's still nice to have 3 centers but oh well.
Damn, we sure are spoiled. Haha, still Mbenga being out is no good. I'm not sure that I'd want to put in too much for another center if we did go for one, but it might be a good option.
Tough situation. I think its manditory to look at geting someone for the 3rd spot. It puts to much pressure on Dampier and Diop not to get an injury the rest of the season/playoffs. Mavs have options on the team to help the depth, but they dont interest me. George is to small. Dirk getting more minutes at center makes me sick to my stomach.For a trade. Im always willing to trade Anthony Johnson. Also Croshere, since his contract ends this offseason. Rok said Dale Davis. That could be the best option. He's pretty cheap. He's old, but I dont care. Mavs have lacked a vet ever since the left. Despite his age he still rebounds and still cares about the game, plays hard. Plus Pistons use Webber as center now I believe.Theres Free Agent. But since Mavs have a full roster I dont know how that could work out. -Pavel-PJ Ramos-Jahadi White-Ha JinThe Free Agents really dont interest me as much as trading AJ or Crosh
As far as I'm concerned, we should get a guy in a trade. Now we all know this isnt going to be a blockbuster move and shouldnt be either. I'd say maybe a 2 for 1, 2 for 2, or the simple 1 for 1 player kind of trade. I think we could easily part with Johnson, Croshere, Pops, and even Buckner. There really arent a ton of great 3rd string centers out there, so I've only came up with a few. Here are a few guys that could come in. These are a few that could be okay. Dale Davis-Detriot-$3,500,000 SAL, 1yr leftJohan Petro-Seattle-$1,006,800 SAL, 2yr leftScot Pollard-Cleveland-$2,200,000 SAL, 1yr leftJake Tsakalidis-Memphis-$2,900,000 SAL, 1yr leftMichael Doleac-Miami-$2,880,000 SAL, 1yr leftKelvin Cato-New York-$744,551 SAL, 1yr leftSean Marks-Phoenix-$744,551 SAL, 1yr leftCalvin Booth-Washington-$998,967 SAL, 1 yr leftThen there are the few that wouldnt be that great, but could fill the void.The Dreaded Rafael Araujo-Utah-$2,395,200 SAL, 1yr leftMichael Olowokandi-Boston-$744,551 SAL, 1yr leftThe few that are bolded are the ones that I think would help the most. Here are a few saleries of some of the Mavs that are expendable. $3,240,741-Greg Buckner-5yrs left$2,640,000-Anthony Johnson-2yrs left$7,300,000-Austin Croshere-1yr left$906,480-Maurice Ager-2yrs left$412,718-Pops Mensah-Bonsu-2yrs leftI really dont want to trade Croshere since he's coming off the books this year, but if we really had to, we could trade him. I'm not going to put all the different scenerios up, so you can pretty much do it with all the saleries I posted.
I doubt Pops is getting time at center. If anything, the move of him being active means Dirk at center when he comes in. Because Pops like George, is more of a 3/4. Hardly a 5. Also, reading the DMN article, seems like Mavs were looking at free agents as opposed to making a deal. Obviously no free agent center looks good, but I think as the season goes on into the playoffs. Were better off getting a competent big, not neccessarily a 5, but another big body out there.
^Your boy Keith Van Horn and Shawn Kemp were the names mentioned. Free agency definately not the answer.
Okay, I was reading the post by BigMo on the trade of Alan Henderson to the Jazz and he's most likely going to be released. What do ya'll think of him? I think he could be a great fit as that 3rd center. He's a bit undersized, but does play his role very nice. He's already had a stint with the Mavericks a few seasons back. He was even traded to the Bucks in that season in the Keith Van Horn deal and then was released by the Bucks in which he returned to the Mavs a few days later. I think this would be the best player to sign that is out on the market.
I'd rather have Pops than that over the hill Henderson. Neither are centers though and will be liabilities out there.
Alan Henderson actually not bad, im sure the jazz will realese him and once they do it would be good to see the mav's grab him to fill that 3 center role.
