DALLAS -- Nearly two hours after coach Don Nelson bid the
Dallas Mavericks farewell for the summer, Steve Nash was the last
player left in the locker room.
How symbolic: He didn't want to leave.
While Nash actually was still there Saturday because he'd been
chatting with Donnie Nelson, the team's president of basketball
operations, the sentiment is true. He hopes to remain in Dallas,
even though he plans to opt out of his contract and become a free
agent.
"If the Mavs came to me today with an offer I couldn't refuse,
it'd be over because this is where I really want to be," said
Nash, who has blossomed into a two-time All-Star since being
acquired by the Mavericks on draft day in 1998. "It's important to
me to try everything I can do to be here."
Although the Mavericks were knocked out of the playoffs in the
first round, owner Mark Cuban isn't planning a major overhaul. He's
keeping the Nelsons and their up-tempo style, and he wants to keep
the Big Three core of Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley.
Dallas also hopes to re-sign guard Marquis Daniels, an undrafted
rookie who will be a free agent.
There will be changes, though. The Mavericks need a legitimate,
defense-oriented center, and would be willing to give up some
scoring to acquire one.
The player most likely to go is Antoine Walker, who could be
valuable to a rebuilding team because he's going into the last year
of his contract. Trading him also would open a spot in the starting
lineup for Antawn Jamison.
"We know we have to make some moves," Don Nelson said. "We
still have a big void on the defensive end and a big void at our
center position and we have to address it."
Finley was the most outspoken about the team needing a new mix.
Walker arrived late in training camp, bumping the recently acquired
Jamison to the bench and causing a seasonlong adjustment to
different lineups.
"From a personality standpoint, we have to change," Finley
said. "I think the team talentwise is there, but just from an
overall togetherness and being on the same page at the right time,
we're not there. Maybe in another year it would be better, but
maybe if we bring in some other guys that would make it better."
Nash is the point guard who has pushed the team's frenetic pace.
Last season, though, he was only the sixth-highest paid player at
$5.75 million. He's due the same amount next year under his exiting
deal.
Opting out gives him the chance to double the annual salary,
plus get the security of being signed for up to six years.
Considering the Mavericks let Nash get this close to the open
market, they're likely to let him see what he can get elsewhere,
then match it.
Nash said he wouldn't be offended by the team taking a
wait-and-see approach, but said, "it would be nice if they valued
me enough that we didn't have to go that route."
"If it comes down to having to entertain other offers, that's
part of the game as well," Nash said. "I'm prepared to do that."
Don Nelson told Nash to try enjoying free agency. He also told
him, "See you next year."
"Steve doesn't want to leave and we have the financial means to
keep him," Nelson said. "It should not be a problem."
Keeping Daniels could be.
Because the Mavericks are over the salary cap, they can only
offer up to the midlevel exception, likely around $5 million. While
that probably will be enough, he could be lost if some team throws
big bucks at a youngster who scored 30 points in three of 15
starts.
Like Nash, Daniels wants to stay. The difference is he's less
emotionally invested and has made only $366,000 in his pro career,
making him more likely to follow the money.
"It's a business," he said. "You've got to do what's best for
you. My option is to be here, but you never know what will
happen."