Mavericks Sign Al-Farouq Aminu

10:52am: The team has formally announced the signing, via press release.

JULY 29TH, 10:21am: The deal is official, according to the RealGM transactions log and Eric Pincus of Basketball insiders (Twitter link), though the team has yet to make an announcement.

JULY 23RD: Free agent forward Al-Farouq Aminu will sign with the Mavericks, Chris Haynes of CSN Northwest reports (via Twitter). Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas confirms the deal, citing Aminu’s agent Raymond Brothers and adding that it will be for the veteran’s minimum (Twitter links). More specifically, the pact is for two years and $2.1MM with a player option for the second year, reports NBA.com’s David Aldridge (via Twitter). Aminu played the last three seasons in New Orleans after being drafted No. 8 overall in 2010 by the Clippers. The Wake Forest product, still only 23, averaged 7.2 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Pelicans in 2013/14.

MacMahon reported that the Mavs were interested in Aminu earlier this month, a report that Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram seconded a few weeks later. This is the latest move in a busy offseason for the Mavericks, who voided their contract with Rashard Lewis earlier today and are reportedly close to a deal with point guard Jameer Nelson. Dallas also acquired Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton via trade in June and, of course, stole Chandler Parsons from the rival Rockets earlier this month.

As Aldridge adds, Lewis’ knee surgery caused Dallas to turn to Aminu. Aldridge also indicates that the Mavs have retained their $2.7MM room exception, which is expected to go to Nelson (Twitter links). At only 23 years of age, Aminu makes for an interesting addition to a new-look Mavericks team that will look to improve on a 49-win season in 2013/14. The former Demon Deacon will add versatility and rebounding ability to the Dallas frontcourt.