DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said not to read anything into the Texas Legends signing point guard Delonte West to an NBA Development League contract on Friday.
In fact, Cuban said West is not going to play for the Mavericks this season."But," Cuban said, "that doesn't mean I don't like Delonte and care about him as a person and want to help him get back on track."Cuban said he was just doing West a favor by having the Mavs' affiliate sign him. West was a solid contributor for the Mavericks last season and also was on this year's preseason roster, but he was waived on Oct. 29. He had been suspended on Oct. 15 for one day, and again on Oct. 25 indefinitely, for conduct detrimental to the team.West didn't catch on with another team after his release. Although the Mavericks have a close relationship with the Legends, West technically is free to sign with any of the NBA's 30 teams.Cuban gets TimberlakeUsing his "connections," Mark Cuban has hit a grand slam. He confirmed Friday that he'll have pop superstar Justin Timberlake singing at his private Super Bowl party in New Orleans on Feb. 2, the night before the big game."It's going to be a heckuva party," Cuban said. "We always win the party. I'm bringing sexy back. Watch AXS-TV for a chance to win tickets to the party."By the way, Timberlake is a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies.AAC on All-Star listIf the Mavericks host the NBA All-Star game again, Mark Cuban said it will be played at American Airlines Center.The Mavs hosted the 2010 All-Star game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. That game set a Guinness World Record for the largest crowd to witness a basketball game (108,713)."I wouldn't do it there any more," Cuban said. "Did it. Been there, done that. It's hard to re-create something like that. The last thing you want to do is throw a party and have no one show up."No WNBA for CubanMark Cuban said the thought crossed his mind about bringing a WNBA team to Dallas."But I won't do something I can't do right," Cuban said. " I don't want to do it and not be able to apply the same amount of time or commitment as I do the Mavericks. So I've always said if someone else wanted to start a team here, they're welcomed to."James could stayThe second 10-day contract for point guard Mike James ends at midnight Sunday. If the Mavericks decide to retain James, they would have to sign him for the remainder of the season. Asked about whether the Mavericks plan to keep James for the rest of the season, Mark Cuban said: "So far, so good. No reason to think otherwise at this point."Dwain Price, 817-390-7760Twitter: @DwainPriceHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
