NBA Free Agency: DeJuan Blair Stays in Texas, To Sign With Dallas
Jun 11, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center DeJuan Blair (45) reacts during the fourth quarter of game three of the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the AT
According to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks and former San Antonio Spurs free agent forward DeJuan Blair are closing in on a deal.
Blair went on Twitter to fill in the gap.
SA you always in my heart!
— DeJuan Blair (@DeJuan45) July 30, 2013
Dallas!!!!! Now lets have some fun!!!!
— DeJuan Blair (@DeJuan45) July 30, 2013
The rumored deal is expected to be a one-year contract for the league minimum $1.4 million, but has yet been officially announced.
Blair is looking to join an already re-vamped Mavs frontcourt that freatures Samuel Dalembert, Dirk Nowitzki, Brandan Wright, Bernard James and (possibly) Greg Oden — they are one of six teams still in the running.
The 6-foot-7 (undersized) forward only managed to average 5.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 14 minutes per game last season with the Spurs. During his first three years with the San Antonio, Blair’s points per game average increased every year (7.8, 8.3, 9.5). However, it is believed that his relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich attributed to his recent reduction in minutes, resulting in less production during his final year.
Blair only made three appearances during the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, logging only 14 total minutes.