With the lockout lifted, we finally have some news about our team.  It
has been a long summer.

The lockout was lifted at 11:00 and Norm Sonju had contact the agents
of the four players who the Mavs want to sign by 11:30.  Sonju, who is
responsible for signing players, hopes to have rookies Cherokee Parks 
and Loren Meyer signed by the end of the week.  Sonju is also working 
on re-signing restricted free agent Lorenzo Williams and unrestricted 
free agent George McCloud.  It's going to be a busy week for Sonju.  
Due to the new rookie cap, Parks will make between $809,400 and $971,280 
this season and Meyer will make between $463,300 and $555,960.  Both 
players will be signed to 3 year contracts after which they will become 
unrestricted free agents, per the new collective bargaining agreement.

Director of Player Personnel Keith Grant gets to deal with the problem
of what to do with Roy Tarpley, any trades, and what free agents the
Mavs should go after and/or invite to camp.  Grant didn't give much
information about what he is up to, but word from an Indiana source
said that Indiana assistant (and former Mav assistant/head coach) Gar
Heard called Grant yesterday asking about Tarpley.

Grant has scheduled a rookie/free agent camp for October 2-4.  Training
camp starts October 6.  The NBA rookie orientation is this week, today
through Saturday, in Orlando.  

Those looking for last year's 2nd round pick Deon Thomas to join the
Mavs training camp will be disappointed.  Thomas has opted to play
a second season in Italy.  In the season opener for his team, Thomas
scored 24 points and had 4 blocks.

The Mavs have already sold more than 11,000 season tickets for this
season.  Last season, the Mavs only sold 9,800 season tickets by the
season's start.

GM Norm Sonju has gained another title.  Owner Donald Carter has given
up his title of president and passed it on to Sonju, who runs the day-to-
day operations.

Former Mavs' special assistant coach Clifford Ray was signed as an
assistant coach for New Jersey.


patricia
(happy, happy, joy, joy)