When the Mavericks signed Shawn Marion to a free agent deal it made Brandon Bass the odd man out so today,  Brandon signed a four year deal with the Orlando Magic which will pay him around $18 million. 

He was one of Rick Carlisle's most valuable and reliable bench players averaging 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 81 games last season.  Carlisle has repeatedly mentioned this off season that the Mavericks emphasis was to add speed and athleticism to the lineup during the off season and Bass didn't fit that mold.  Brandon will most likely get a chance to start in Orlando since Hedo Turkoglu has left for Toronto. 

The Magic outbid Cleveland and New Orleans to get Bass and that's also good news for the Mavericks since they probably won't be able to retain Marcin Gortat, who the Mavs have already submitted an offer sheet to.

Expect to hear about Gortat joining the Mavericks, very soon now.

The Dallas Mavericks announced that they have acquired guard Rodrigue Beaubois and a future second round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the Mavericks' 24^th overall selection B.J. Mullens. Beaubois (6-2, 182) was selected with the 25^th overall pick.

The Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe native appeared in 29 French Pro A games in 2008-09 and averaged 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.3 minutes per game. Beaubois showed marked improvement from his 2007-08 campaign when he averaged 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 15.1 minutes per contest. 

The 21-year-old (2/24/88) point guard has participated as a member of France's junior national team and was discovered at a basketball camp by current Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus. 

"We could not be happier with the addition of Rodrigue," President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. "His dynamic athleticism will add versatility and energy to our backcourt. He was one of the highest-rated athletes this draft."

The Dallas Mavericks also selected forward Ahmad Nivins with the 56^th overall selection of the 2009 NBA Draft and have acquired 45^th pick Nick Calathes from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the future second round pick of the Portland Trailblazers that the Mavericks obtained in a trade on June 24, 2009.

 

Nivins (6-9, 242) finished his career as the third-leading scorer in the history of Saint Josheph's University with 1,789 points. He was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year following his senior season after averaging 19.2 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting .612 from the field and starting all 32 games. Nivins was All-America honorable mention and became just the second player in A-10 history to lead the league in field goal percentage for three consecutive seasons.

During his time at St. Joe's, the Jersey City, N.J., native registered 33 double-doubles, earned All A-10 honors three times and was an A-10 All-Rookie selection as a freshman. He also participated in the 2007 Pan Am Games for Team USA.

"Ahmad was the Atlantic-10 player of the year and a member of the All-Defensive team," President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. "He is a great rebounder and shot blocker that has improved every year."

Calathes (6-6, 194) was an early entry candidate into the 2009 Draft after completing his sophomore year at the University of Florida. In 2008-09, the point guard averaged 17.8 points and 6.4 assists per game. As a sophomore, Calathes was named First Team All-Southeastern Conference and was the only player in the nation to average better than 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. In his freshman campaign, the Winter Park, Fla., native was named SEC Newcomer of the Year and All-SEC Second Team.  

"We are extremely fortunate to be in a position to acquire Nick from the Timberwolves," Nelson said. "He is a terrific young prospect with an excellent upside."