The Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a contract with Israeli point guard Gal Mekel, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
Mavericks agree to deal with Israeli point guard Gal Mekel, according to report
Israeli point guard Gal Mekel has verbally committed to sign with the Mavericks when the NBA’s moratorium ends on July 10.
Christof Koepsel
Mekel has agreed to a multi-year contract at the league minimum, and he will sign the deal once the NBA's moratorium on signings and trades is lifted on July 10. Mekel also received interest from the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies, but the multi-year offer from the Mavs helped clinch the signing.
The fact that the deal is for the minimum is a big plus for Dallas, as it won't affect their pursuit of Dwight Howard or other bigger free agents if they strike out on Howard. Mekel will join first-round pick Shane Larkin in a Mavs point guard rotation that will look much different than last year, with Darren Collison and Rodrigue Beaubois likely headed elsewhere.
The 25-year-old Mekel played college ball at Wichita State from 2006-08 before heading overseas. Mekel enjoyed an excellent 2012-13 campaign in Israel, earning MVP honors and leading Maccabi Haifa to an Israeli Super League championship over perennial powerhouse Maccabi Tel-Aviv. At 6’4, Mekel has solid size for a point guard and could immediately contribute off the bench in Dallas.
Mekel will be just the second Israeli player in NBA history, joining Omri Casspi.
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