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The Dallas Mavericks and center Bernard James are finalizing a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum, a source told ESPNDallas.com. The deal will be fully guaranteed, according to the source. That makes 15 players on the Mavs’ roster with fully guaranteed contracts -- the limit for the regular season -- in addition to forwards Eric Griffin and Ivan Johnson, who have partially guaranteed deals. This will be the 6-foot-10, 240-pound James’ third consecutive season with the Mavs after being selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2012 draft. James, 29, an Air Force veteran, averaged 2.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game over the last two seasons. He has played in 76 games, including 11 starts as a rookie. James is the fourth center on the Mavs’ roster. Starter Tyson Chandler and efficient, athletic reserve Brandan Wright are likely to log the vast majority of the minutes. The Mavs acquired Greg Smith this summer to give them a minimum-salaried banger off the bench. James’ best attribute is his ability to block shots (2.7 per 36 minutes).
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