Tim MacMahon, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Jameer Nelson grateful Magic let him go to a winner

Ten years into his career, winning matters much more to Jameer Nelson than money.

That’s why Nelson was grateful to be waived by the Orlando Magic this summer.

Nelson was due to make $8 million this season in the final year of his contract with the Magic, but only $2 million of it was guaranteed. Orlando opted to save the money and allow Nelson, a loyal leader the franchise honored with a billboard after cutting ties with him, to search for an opportunity to join a contender.

“I was ready to go,” said Nelson, who returns to Orlando as the Mavericks’ starting point guard for both teams’ preseason finale Friday night. “I enjoyed going through the rebuilding process with them, but it was time for me to go. If you asked me if I asked for the buyout, it was mutual.”

Nelson, who should receive a standing ovation at the Amway Center, is being polite about enjoying the rebuilding process. After making the playoffs six straight years, it was painful for him to win a total of 43 games the last two seasons for a franchise that was devastated by Dwight Howard’s departure.

That won’t be a problem with the Mavs, who signed Nelson for a bargain salary of $2.73 million this season, adding another piece to a team that is a threat to do significant damage in the hypercompetitive Western Conference playoffs.

Nelson provides the Mavs a “natural leader,” as Rick Carlisle has repeatedly referred to the point guard, who can knock down open 3s, create off the pick-and-roll and set a tone of toughness. They also get a guy who is refreshed to no longer be in rebuilding mode.

“He’s fired up to be on a winning team,” Dirk Nowitzki said. “I love that he never seems out of control, whatever he does. He just has that poise of a point guard that’s been around and seen a lot.”

Nelson, who has a player option on the second season of his contract, probably could have made more money elsewhere. But finances weren’t his top priority during the free agency process.

“More importantly, it was knowing that I was going to be competing to win,” Nelson said. “Not just going out there to play a game, I’m going out there to play to win and be successful collectively and individually. I look at this situation for me as the best opportunity to win. ...

“My thing is, if you win, you’re going to get paid. I’m here to win.”

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