With their roster already stuffed with the maximum of 15 guaranteed contracts, it’s the time of year when the Mavericks look for big reward off of little risk.
Hello, Charlie Villanueva.
Dallas has signed the veteran small forward to a non-guaranteed contract, meaning he’ll be at training camp but with only a remote shot at making the final roster. Villanueva, 30, has seen his production plummet in recent years. At 6-11 he can shoot the 3-pointer and has clever offensive skills around the basket. But last year with the Pistons he averaged only 4.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 20 games.
The Mavericks are still looking for a player with the skills – big body, perimeter shooter, wing defender – of Rashard Lewis, whose contract they voided last season after he failed a physical.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
