By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Dallas, TX

Center Chris Kaman will play with close friend Dirk Nowitzki after he agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.

The 7-footer Kaman confirmed his decision to join the Mavericks -- his third NBA team -- on his Twitter account

"Partnering up with @swish41 and heading to the Mavs........," Kaman tweeted. "I want to say thanks to the Hornet fans for all the support, even though our marriage was a short one!!!

"I do love Texas guns laws tho! Pretty excited......," Kaman added on Twitter.

Kaman has developed a close friendship with Nowitzki, his teammate on the German national team during the 2008 Olympics.

Kaman played for the Los Angeles Clippers for eight seasons, averaging a career-high 18.9 points in the 2009-10 campaign. He was traded to the New Orleans Hornets in the deal that brought Chris Paul to Los Angeles.

Kaman was deactivated and then reactivated by the Hornets in 2011-12, as the team tried and failed to dangle him as trade bait, but he was still one of the NBA's most solid centers.

He averaged 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in 47 appearances for New Orleans, close to his career averages of 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest.

Last season, Kaman ranked 50th in the league in defensive rebounds with 275 and 24th in blocked shots with 77. He also had 15 double-double performances, 31st in the league.

 

Mavs Acquire Guard Darren Collison from Pacers

The Dallas Mavericks finally landed a point guard this offseason after pulling off a sign-and-trade deal with the Indiana Pacers for Darren Collison.

After missing out on the more marquee free-agent point guards this offseason, the Mavericks acquired Collison and feisty defender in Dahntay Jones by sending center Ian Mihinmi to the Pacers.

The Mavericks, who lost to the Brooklyn Nets in the Deron Williams sweepstakes and lost veterans Jason Kidd and Jason Terry to free agency, also signed veteran center Chris Kaman to give their frontcourt a boost.

Drafted 21st overall by the New Orleans Hornets, the 24-year-old Collison played his first season with the Hornets before being traded to the Pacers in a three-way deal.

Collison averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 assists over three seasons.

 

 

Center Chris Kaman Joins Mavericks for $8M