Saturday, January 9, 2010

NBA source: Dallas Mavericks discussing trade to acquire Eduardo Najera

The Dallas Mavericks are in deep discussions about a trade that would bring Eduardo Najera back to Dallas, an NBA source said.

The source added that any deal could not be completed until Monday and that New Jersey's ownership change also could have an impact on discussions about the deal.

The proposed trade would bring the 6-7 Najera and a trade exception that New Jersey owns to the Mavericks in exchange for Shawne Williams and Kris Humphries. The deal could be worth up to $4.7 million in salary and luxury-tax savings for owner Mark Cuban.

The Mavericks had said there was no deal imminent as recently as Tuesday, but said all along that any trade that happened would only involve players who were not in coach Rick Carlisle's regular rotation.

That would mean this deal makes sense. The Mavericks also would be bringing back a fan favorite in Najera, who last played for the Mavericks in 2003-04 before he was traded to Golden State in the sign-and-trade that brought Erick Dampier to the Mavs.

Najera averaged just under five points in his four seasons with the Mavericks but was beloved by fans for his relentless hustle and his ability to help the team without having to score a lot of points.