Jameer Nelson is expected to sign with the Dallas Mavericks when he meets with the team on Thursday, according to Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears. ESPN's Marc Stein first reported Wednesday afternoon that Nelson and the Mavs were close to a deal, which is for two years with a player option.
Jameer Nelson to sign 2 year, $6 million deal with Mavericks, per report
The veteran point guard is expected to compete for a starting job with Devin Harris and Raymond Felton.
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Mavs & Jameer Nelson finalizing two-year, $6M deal that will include player option in Year 2. ESPN sources say deal will be completed today
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 24, 2014 Nelson hit the market after the Orlando Magic waived him on June 30.
Nelson averaged 12.1 points and 7.0 assists for the Magic last season. The veteran has struggled with efficiency the past two years, failing to crack 40 percent from the field in both seasons and seeing his three-point shooting dip under 35 percent. However, Nelson should get better looks playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis and Chandler Parsons, so an uptick in efficiency wouldn't be a surprise.
With Nelson about to join the fold, there could be some strong competition for the starting point guard job in Dallas. Stein says Devin Harris is the projected starter after Harris signed a four-year deal worth over $16 million earlier this month, but Nelson and newcomer Raymond Felton could be in play as well.
Felton was part of the deal that brought Tyson Chandler back to Dallas, although the point guard could be facing a possible suspension due to his ongoing legal issues. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Felton pleaded guilty in his New York gun case. Despite these problems, Mavs owner Mark Cuban has no plans to trade Felton, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas.
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