The Dallas Mavericks have agreed to bring back veteran center Bernard James on a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum. James will fill the final spot on the Mavericks' 15 player roster.
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound James, who averaged 0.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.3 blocks in 4.9 minutes per game last season, will be the Mavs' third-string center again this upcoming season. He'll primarily back up Tyson Chandler and Greg Smith, although Brandon Wright may also see minutes at the center position.
The Dallas Mavericks were in need of another big man to add to their front line with the injury history of both Tyson Chandler and Greg Smith over the last couple of years. The Mavs were believed to perhaps try to sign Rashard Lewis again mid-season if he were able to make a full recovery from his recent leg injury. Instead, they decided to bring back a familiar face.
The Mavericks were impressed enough with James' improvement in his offensive game during this past Summer League in Las Vegas that they believe bringing him back for a third season is the right decision.
In the 2014 Summer League, James played in four games averaging just over 25 minutes per game. He went 20-for-32 from the field averaging 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.