Training camp has not yet opened as the lawyers are still working on
getting the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in writing.  Camps
can not open and free agents can not be signed until the new CBA is
signed.  They are hoping it will be signed later today, but it might slip
again (it has been slipping daily this week) to Friday or Saturday.

The Mavs will be holding an open practice Friday night (assuming the
collective bargaining agreement is finally signed by then).  The practice
is free and so is parking.  The doors to Reunion Arena will open at 6 pm
(based on the past, practice will probably start at 7 pm).  The free
tickets for the January 30th Mavs-Phoenix pre-season game will be
distributed (again, based on the past, probably as people enter the
arena).  In addition to the practice, which will include an inter-squad
scrimmage, there will be autograph and photo sessions with the players and
coaches, Mavs Man will perform and so will the Mavericks Dancers, and there 
will be a fan shooting contest.  The free tickets to the pre-season game 
will also be available while they last on a first come, first serve basis
at the Reunion Arena box office starting Saturday.  Season ticket holders
will receive their tickets to the pre-season game in the mail.

The Mavs and Kurt Thomas have reached an agreement on a one year contract
worth a little over $1 million.  The contract will also include a number
of incentive clauses.  The contract can not be formally signed until the
new collective bargaining agreement is finally signed.  

Also, the Mavs are talking with Steve Nash's agent and Samaki Walker's 
agent to try reached agreements on contract extensions.  Both players are 
in the last year of their 3 year rookie contract and there is a window 
where teams can sign those players to extensions instead of having to wait
(and gamble the player will want to return or another team might offer 
crazy money) until the player is a free agent.

The Mavs made a 3 year contract offer to Cedric Ceballos and he turned it
down as it was for less money than he wanted.

Besides the 10 players under contract, Thomas, and Dirk Nowitzki, Ace
Custis and 2nd round draft pick Greg Buckner (who has been playing for the
Grand Rapids Hoops of the CBA, but not playing too well) have been invited 
to attend the Mavs' training camp.  2nd round draft pick Ansu Sesay said 
he will not attend the training camp unless he receives a guaranteed 
contract and the Mavs are not willing to give him one.


patricia