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Jameer Nelson Signs With Dallas Mavericks

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 13, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson (14) brings the ball up court during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Magic 107-88. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson (14) brings the ball up court during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Magic 107-88. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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After trading away Jose Calderon to the New York Knicks for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton, the Dallas Mavericks were looking a little thin at the point guard position, because, let’s be honest, Felton just isn’t the answer as a starter. But after re-signing Devin Harris to a four-year deal, the Mavs have bolstered their backcourt by signing free agent Jameer Nelson to a deal.

The Mavs officially announced Nelson’s deal Thursday. The terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Nelson spent 10 years with the Orlando Magic before being waived in the offseason. He was an All-Star in 2009, when the Magic lost in the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers. Nelson holds career averages of 12.6 points, 5.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game and in his last season in Orlando, averaged 12.1 points, 7.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds per game. He only shot 39.4 percent from the field, however.

So does Jameer Nelson’s arrival mean bad news for Raymond Felton? Not necessarily. According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, the Mavs plan on using Harris, Nelson and Felton in spots to make sure they’ve always got a fresh set of legs on the court beside Monta Ellis. This will allow Dallas to use their three veteran point guards to get up and down the court, which is a smart strategy considering none of the three are what you’d call “star point guards.”

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Mavs are hoping to sign Jameer Nelson using their $2.7 million room exception. Dallas has had a very busy offseason, re-signing Dirk Nowitzki to a super cheap discount, trading for Chandler and Felton, re-signing Harris, signing Eric Griffin, adding Richard Jefferson and Greg Smith, signing Al-Farouq Aminu and, of course, offering Chandler Parsons a three-year, $46 million contract.

At the very least, Nelson should be a serviceable backup point guard for the Mavs, who are looking to give Dirk a few deep playoff runs before his time in the NBA is done.

Nelson is the Magic’s franchise all-time leader in assists, second in games played and fourth in scoring.

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