The Knicks needed another point guard they can trust, in case it turns out they can’t trust Raymond Felton (and Knicks fans would be more than happy to tell you why you can’t trust Felton). Dallas has Devin Harris under contract, but that was not enough.
Enter veteran Jameer Nelson.
We told you the two sides were going to meet. Well, apparently that meeting is more of a formality because they are now very close to a contract, reports Marc Stein at ESPN.
ESPN sources say Mavs on track to complete the signing of Jameer Nelson when the veteran PG makes his scheduled visit to Dallas on Thursday
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 23, 2014
Barring an unforseen snag, Mavs on course to land Jameer Nelson to fortify their backcourt on a deal via Dallas' $2.7 million room exception
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 23, 2014
No, this does not mean the Mavericks are looking to trade Felton. Officially.
Mark Cuban tells me Mavs are absolutely not looking to dump Raymond Felton. "We like him and think he will have a great year," Cuban said.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 23, 2014
Nelson averaged 12.1 points and 7 assists a game for the Magic last season, but he hasn’t done it efficiently (a .515 true shooting percentage, just below the league average). Most of his shots are three pointers (more than half his attempts last season) and he shot a respectable but not spectacular 34.8 percent on them. He’s long been good and aggressive on the pick-and-roll, plus he brings a physicality to the position.
Dallas has some nice pieces — Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, Tyson Chandler — it’s just a matter of finding a point guard who can help bring it together (and some depth).
Nelson can’t give you 30 minutes a night anymore, but he can be a solid backup, plus a guy who can be used as a space-the-floor shooter in certain situations.
At that price this is a nice pickup by the Mavs, who have had a strong off-season.