Mavs working the phones for free agents

Donnie Nelson initiated free-agent conversations Sunday with the representative for Devean George, James Posey, P.J. Brown and Mikki Moore, plus made an inquiry into Charlotte free-agent forward Gerald Wallace, widely considered one of the top free agents available.

Wallace, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward, has plenty of suitors and will be difficult for the Mavs to land. He’s coming off a breakout season, his third with Charlotte and sixth in the league, in which he averaged 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds.

He made $5.5 million last season and could command a Josh Howard-like $9 million or $10 million. The Mavs can only go as high as their midlevel exception, expected to be about $6 million (the league is still working on the exact figure), so a deal to land Wallace would involve a sign-and-trade.

“As far as caliber of player, certainly athleticism has it’s place with us,” said Nelson, the Mavs president of basketball operations. “From a financial perspective, it’s hard to know if it’s a fit for us.”

The Bobcats have room under the salary cap and have indicated that they want to re-sign Wallace even though they made a draft-day trade for Jason Richardson, who can play the same position.

Wallace also plays the same position as Howard.

“Sign-and-trades are a little harder to do in all likelihood,” Nelson said. “A lot of things have to come together to make that happen.”

Several players agreed to terms quickly Sunday, including Jason Kapono, who leaves Miami to join Toronto, reportedly agreeing to a four-year, $24 million deal.

That could signal the departure of Toronto free agent Mo Peterson, a career 37.1-percent 3-point shooter. He made $4.6 million last season. The Mavs are looking for a shooter and want to add athleticism in the frontcourt.

Also on the Mavs’ radar is Matt Barnes, the gritty forward from Golden State. He has said his first option is to return to the Warriors, but they have to choose between Barnes and restricted free agent Mickael Pietrus, who could also interest the Mavs.

The Mavs are also moving forward on re-signing sixth man Jerry Stackhouse.

Rookies practice

Rookies Nick Fazekas and Reyshawn Terry went through their first Mavs practice Sunday at

American Airlines Center in preparation for the NBA Summer League, which starts Friday in

Las Vegas.

Fans can get an early peek at the rookies when the Mavs’ summer league team, coached by assistant Joe Prunty, takes on the Chinese National team and No. 6 pick Yi Jianlian on Tuesday at 7 p.m. as part of the Global Games at SMU’s Moody Coliseum.

-- Jeff Caplan