Knicks, Warriors in bidding war to land Mavericks center Tyson Chandler

By Dwain Price

dprice@star-telegram.com

DALLAS -- It appears as though Tyson Chandler's days with the Dallas Mavericks are numbered.

While the Mavericks try to save money to make a hard run at next year's star-studded free agent class headed by Dwight Howard, Deron Williams and Chris Paul, Chandler reportedly is close to signing a deal with the New York Knicks. Also, the Golden State Warriors have offered the Mavericks' free agent center a four-year, $60 million contract.

Although it seems inevitable, Mavericks guard Jason Terry doesn't want to know what basketball life is without Chandler.

"He's the most athletic center besides Dwight Howard in the league," Terry said. "He works both ways, but defensively he definitely changed the culture with the way he communicates, and the intangibles.

"He's a guy that plays very selfishly, and he's a team player on and off the court. In the locker room he keeps the guys motivated."

The Mavericks have already lost free agent small forward Caron Butler, who agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract Thursday with the Los Angeles Clippers. Chandler could be the next Mavericks free agent on the way out the door.

Forward Corey Brewer also didn't want to think about the Mavericks hitting the court without Chandler.

"You've got to think about Tyson, who is one of the best centers in the league in my opinion," Brewer said.

"We might can get something, but I think what we've got now is really good."

Dirk hasn't seen designs

Dirk Nowitzki is one of the players expected to see the designs of the Mavericks' championship rings before a final decision is made on which one the team will choose.

But Nowitzki said he hasn't seen any ring designs. But he does expect the ring will be exorbitant, especially coming from owner Mark Cuban.

"Cuban has got all sorts of ideas in his mind," Nowitzki said. "Sometimes he always tries to be different -- he doesn't want to follow certain rules.

"I think all the players would rather go old school and get a ring that's classy, because it just has so much tradition. So we'll see how it comes out at the end. Maybe a mixture of both."

Brewer working on shot

In the Mavericks' offense, where the ball swings around the perimeter and whoever is open normally takes the shot, Corey Brewer knows he has to improve his jump shot.

That's why he worked on his jumper a lot with coach Rick Carlisle after practice late last season. And it's why Brewer spent the balance of the off-season trying to add a crisp jump shot to his arsenal.

"I'm trying to become a consistent shooter," Brewer said. "And on this team with guys like Dirk (Nowitzki) and Jason Terry, you'll get a lot of open shots.

"So for me to get on the court, you've got to be able to knock it down."

Jones could be key

Depending on which free agents the Mavericks decide to keep, Dominique Jones could be a key player in the rotation this season.

But the second-year combo guard didn't get to sharpen his skills over the off-season, because summer league games were canceled due to the lockout.

"Of course it would have been good to play in the summer league games and this and that, but it didn't happen," Jones said. "I think it was an opportunity to get better, get more shots up and just do more things and continue learning."

Dirk Nowitzki doesn't believe the long off-season means players will come to training camp today terribly out of shape.

"From reading what the guys have been doing, everybody's in decent shape," he said. "Some of our guys played some games [overseas].

"So I think we'll be OK. Everybody will be in shape pretty quick."

Dwain Price, 817-390-7760

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