LOS ANGELES -- Mike James met the Dallas Mavericks in Los Angeles today and officially signed a 10-day contract with the club this morning.
James will participate in the Mavs' practice today here in Los Angeles, and will be in uniform when Dallas (13-22) faces the LA Clippers (27-8) Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. CST.
The Mavs are expecting James to bring some stability at the point guard spot, much like Derek Fisher did during his 24-day tenure with Dallas earlier this season.
"When Fisher was here we did some really good things and it was really encouraging,'' said Donnie Nelson, the Mavs' president of basketball operations. "I think that kind of settling presence is one that's missed -- to a certain extent.
"Who knows if Mike James is going to step in and be effective in that area. But we’re going to give him an opportunity and see what he can bring to the table.''
In addition to playing in Austria, France, China and Turkey, James has made the Mavs the 11th NBA team he's played for since he joined the Miami Heat in 2001. The 6-2 playmaker played 11 games last season for the Chicago Bulls and averaged 4.8 points and 2.6 assists in 10.9 minutes per game.
In his two games with the Texas Legends of the D-League this year, James scored 37 points, grabbed two rebounds and dispensed eight assists.
James, 37, joins a very crowded point guard unit that includes Darren Collison, Rodrigue Beaubois, Dominique Jones and rookie Jared Cunningham.
By NBA rules the Mavs can sign James to a pair of 10-day contracts. After that they would have to release him or sign him for the rest of the season.
-- Dwain Price
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