Point guard Deron Williams is confident he’ll be healthy when training camp opens, he told NBCDFW.com. Williams underwent sports hernia surgery shortly after the Mavs were bounced in the first round of the playoffs. “It’s healing pretty well, I’m doing a lot of work on and off the court. I haven’t got the full-go clearance yet but that’s coming soon,” Williams said. “I’ll be ready to go definitely by the time training camp rolls around.” Williams re-signed with Dallas this month on a one-year, $10MM contract, though he was hoping for multi-year deal. “Would have liked a little longer deal but I’m back for one year and hopefully can build on last year and improve,” he added in the interview.
In other news involving the Mavericks:
- Owner Mark Cuban offered Dallas as a possible destination for this season’s All-Star Game after the NBA removed the event from Charlotte, he said in a radio interview with 105.3FM The Fan’s Ben and Skin Show. Cuban doesn’t expect the league to choose Dallas but he supports the league’s decision to switch the venue in reaction to a controversial North Carolina law. “When it came up, I told (commissioner) Adam Silver Dallas is ready, willing and able to host if they decide to move,” Cuban said. “But honestly I haven’t heard anything back from him on that, so most likely it won’t happen. … I think it’s the right move. I know it’s controversial and I know you can’t make everybody happy but I think it’s the right move.” New Orleans has emerged as the likely destination for the All-Star Game.
- The Mavs made a smart move by drafting big man A.J. Hammons in the second round, Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News opines. Hammons was productive while playing in a major conference and brings youth, size, defense and rim protection, all areas of need for the club. With the trade acquisition of veteran center Andrew Bogut, the team can afford to develop Hammons at a slower pace, Gosselin adds.