from espn.com

Unlike most of the other top Western Conference contenders, the Dallas Mavericks failed to make much of a splash when the NBA free-agent period began.

 

But the Mavericks finally became involved in something big Friday night: an eight-player deal with the Golden State Warriors, both The Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram are reporting.

 

The key names in the trade: Mavs guard Nick Van Exel and Warriors forward Antawn Jamison.

 

The Mavericks are sending Van Exel, center/forward Evan Eschmeyer, forward Popeye Jones and veteran point guard Avery Johnson to Golden State for Jamison, power forward Danny Fortson, small forward Chris Mills and guard Jiri Welsch.

 

The trade can't be approved until the NBA offices open on Monday.

 

Van Exel was a key component off the Mavericks' bench last season, and was the team's second-leading scorer in the playoffs with a 19.5 point average. His name has been involved in various trade rumors during the past year, and prior to last season's trade deadline, he mentioned that the Mavericks might need to trade him in order to upgrade their front court.

 

The addition of Jamison, the Warriors' leading scorer who averaged 22.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last season, should help. He will move into the Mavericks' starting lineup at small forward.

 

Fortson should provide help in the rebounding department for the Mavs. He's averaged 11 rebounds three times in his career, but only played 17 games last season due to injury.

 

Adding Van Exel helps the Warriors compensate for the loss of starting point guard Gilbert Arenas, who signed a six-year, $65 million free-agent deal with the Washington Wizards on July 22.

 

The Warriors already had picked up the Spurs' Speedy Claxton, but Van Exel provides a proven player at the point.

 

The other three players from the Mavericks' side are role players who were not expected to make an impact with the team this season.

 

The trade helps the Mavericks answer conference counterparts the Lakers, Kings and Spurs, who have each made major moves this summer.

 

The Lakers, of course, picked up Karl Malone and Gary Payton, while the Spurs re-signed Tim Duncan while adding players such as Radoslav Nesterovic, Hedo Turkoglu, Ron Mercer and Robert Horry. The Kings acquired center Brad Miller in a trade with the Pacers.

Someone should make a poll: Which NBA Franchise is the most pathetic, the Clippers or the Warriors.

 

Gary St. Jean: The Clippers are getting better, here is our ultimate chance! What can we do to make our franchise much worse?

 

Golden State Fans: Oh no, what are you going to do now?

 

St. Jean: I've got it! I'll wait until our best young player signs with the Warriors, sit pat and let the offer go un-matched because I don't have the cap room. However, I've got more! I'll then trade our 27-year-old franchise player along with a great young rebounder and some decent role players for an overpaid, disgruntle 31-year-old shoot first point guard and a white back-up center.

unbelievable aint it?

Wow WTF are the Warriors doing? They should of just let Speedy Claxton start and kept Jamison. I am in shock :plain . I really thought the Warriors might make some noise this year but now they are just asking to lose.

antwan jamison for Nick Van Exel and a couple of scrubs. they're getting robbed blind.

 

Van Exel really isnt disgruntled, he worked all that out a while ago, but still he isnt any where near worth Jamison and Fortson

THey got a couple bench warming rejects who will be gone soon. Jamison is an amazing player who was a standout an NC and is going to continue to get better.

 

Seriously are The Warriors smoking green?

after they traded Carter for Jamison, they really looked bad after Carters rookie season. Now Jamison proves to be the better player and a franchise player and they get rid of him, its like they cant handle success or potential success

fortson didnt play jack with the warriors last year.

fortson didnt play jack with the warriors last year.

true, only 17 games but he's avg. 11+ boards 3 different years. Not a bad deal. Warriors got raped prison style in this deal. nick the quick won't be enough to help them win 25 games. Oh wait, they have Dunleavy right, 21 games.