Mavs target Gerald Wallace

<span class="vitstorybody"><font size="+2"><h2 class="vitstoryheadline"><span class="vitstoryheadline">Mavs target free-agent Wallace</span></h2></font> <font size="+1"><span class="vitstorydeck"> </span></font> <font size="-1"><h5 class="vitstorydate"><span class="vitstorydate">08:12 PM CDT on Sunday, July 1, 2007</span></h5></font> <font size="-1"><span class="vitstorybyline">By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com </span></font> <span class="vitstorybody">

The Mavericks were among the first half-dozen teams to inquire about free-agent swingman Gerald Wallace, but it will be a long, difficult journey to acquire him. </p>

It's also possible that other free-agent targets will be more obtainable. </p>

Still, Wallace is near or at the top of the Mavs' wish list, even though acquiring him will take much more than the mid-level exception, expected to be between $5.8 million and $6 million. </p>

Wallace, who averaged 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds for Charlotte last season, is considered one of the top three free agents left on the board, along with Seattle's Rashard Lewis and Detroit's Chauncey Billups. He will command as much as $10 million annually, which means the Mavericks would have to work a sign-and-trade deal with the Bobcats. </p>

"We're working the phones," president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said Sunday. "We were on it until 2:30 in the morning doing our jobs and knowing what's out there. We got a lot of lines out, and we don't know which one is going to hit. </p>

"We're just going to take our time. It could be a day or it could be a month." </p>

It will be difficult to get anything done with Wallace. Most insiders believe he will stay with Charlotte even though the Bobcats last week traded for Jason Richardson, who plays the same position as Wallace. </p>

The Mavericks would have to ship contracts that match within 25 percent of the starting salary Wallace gets. And the Bobcats would no doubt want hefty value on the players coming their way. </p>

Wallace's agent, Rob Pelinka, did not immediately return phone calls. </p>

The Mavericks are also interested in power forward P.J. Brown, whose agent, Mark Bartelstein, also represents James Posey and Mikki Moore. Brown is contemplating retirement, but the Mavericks may be able to acquire him for their biannual exception, which is worth $1.8 million. </p>

Other names on the Mavs' board are Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus from Golden State. </p>

The Mavericks also hope to hammer out an agreement with Jerry Stackhouse by midweek. Stackhouse's agent, Jeff Schwartz, and Nelson indicated Sunday that there were no snags and that both sides are hopeful to reach an agreement this week. </p> </span></span>

 

Gerald Wallace would be a great fit, but what about Josh Howard? can he play the 2 guard?

 

Seems like Wallace may end up being expensive. I dont think he would help us much other than improve our perimeter defense a little.

 

Harris/Howard/Wallace/Nowitzki/Dampier</p>

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Would be a great lineup..Terry and Stackhouse off the bench? Can you imagine that</p>

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With Howard and Wallace starting, I would not be scared when I hear about the Mavs playing the Lakers. However, sometimes I'm just worried about our offense. We dont have that one player that is always consistent and we know what we are getting from them on a nightly basis. I think that Howard is almost that player.

 

So if it was a sign and trade, what would you guys be willing to offer?</p>

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Let's say he gets about 8-9 million dollars?</p>

 

Mavs would be lucky to get Wallace. He is still one of my favorite players and to this day I still blame Petrie for not keeping him.

 

I just wonder how much the 'Cats would want from us for him.

 

If Rashard Lewis can earn a 75 million / 5 year contract (15 per year) then Gerald Wallace will surely get above 8/9.</p>

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What teams have capspace? Atlanta and Charlotte --> Atlanta won't want him at all and Charlotte does</p>

 

I agree, Wallace is way better than Lewis. He gives you rebounds, blocks, things that every team needs (and a lot don't have). </p>

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But damn man, 15 a year for Lewis? </p>

 

Wallace is definately not better than Lewis. I dont want us to overpay for Wallace mainly because he was playing in the East and on the Bobcats.

 

Wallace is way better. He's a competent scorer, good post player, plus he does loads more skillwise.