Haywood agreed Thursday to a $55 million, six-year contract, according to a person familiar with negotiations. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because details were still being finalized.
Dallas acquired the 7-footer from the Washington Wizards as part of a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline last season. The 30-year-old was a big part of the Mavericks getting on a roll soon after, but down the stretch he lost playing time — and his starting job — to Erick Dampier. The Mavericks have been planning to trade or cut Dampier for salary-cap reasons.
Ainge sounds confident
Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said he wasn't worried about LeBron James' decision.
Ainge has his team back.
"We're the Eastern Conference champions," Ainge said. "And we think we're going to be better next year."
Ainge confirmed the Celtics have agreements in place with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen that would keep Boston's new Big Three intact for a run at a third NBA Finals in four years.
Ainge also said he expects to sign free-agent center Jermaine O'Neal to fill in while center Kendrick Perkins recovers from knee surgery.
Pondexter deal finalized
OKLAHOMA CITY — New Orleans acquired the rights to ex-Washington Huskies player Quincy Pondexter and Craig Brackins in exchange for the rights to rookie center Cole Aldrich of Kansas and veteran Mo Peterson, finalizing a deal that was agreed to last month.
Pondexter and Brackins each signed with New Orleans
Dallas acquired the 7-footer from the Washington Wizards as part of a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline last season. The 30-year-old was a big part of the Mavericks getting on a roll soon after, but down the stretch he lost playing time — and his starting job — to Erick Dampier. The Mavericks have been planning to trade or cut Dampier for salary-cap reasons.
Ainge sounds confident
Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said he wasn't worried about LeBron James' decision.
Ainge has his team back.
"We're the Eastern Conference champions," Ainge said. "And we think we're going to be better next year."
Ainge confirmed the Celtics have agreements in place with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen that would keep Boston's new Big Three intact for a run at a third NBA Finals in four years.
Ainge also said he expects to sign free-agent center Jermaine O'Neal to fill in while center Kendrick Perkins recovers from knee surgery.
Pondexter deal finalized
OKLAHOMA CITY — New Orleans acquired the rights to ex-Washington Huskies player Quincy Pondexter and Craig Brackins in exchange for the rights to rookie center Cole Aldrich of Kansas and veteran Mo Peterson, finalizing a deal that was agreed to last month.
Pondexter and Brackins each signed with New Orleans