We were told it was going to happen and it is a fact now.  Dallas
re-signed Erick Strickland to a 6 year, $14.4 million contract.  The
contract has a player opt-out clause after the 4th season (00-01).  Strick
will earn $1.6 million in 97-98 (the league average for 96-97 was $2.2
million).  He will be the 4th highest paid Mav for 97-98 - behind Shawn
Bradley, Robert Pack, and A.C. Green.  With Finley starting at small
forward, Strick is slated to be the starting shooting guard.

Strick averaged 10.6 points last season, which was 8th amongst the rookies
with all of the rookies above him being lottery picks.  He averaged 26.6
points while shooting 55% FG and 50% 3-pointers (14-28 - with the real
3-point line) in the Fila League this summer.

Strick has also committed to purchasing a block of tickets for the 97-98
season that will be made available to disadvantaged children.  It will be
called "Strick's Land".

Don Nelson: "He was priority #1 this off season.  As important as our 
draft or anything else."

Nelson: "He's the epitome of what we want the Dallas Mavericks players to 
be.  He's a talented, young, bright basketball player who plays the game 
for all the right reasons."

Strickland on the contract: "It feels really, really good.  I get choked
up when I sit down and think about it, how much I went through, how much I
wanted this."

Strickland: "I promise fans I'll give my blood, sweat and tears to do what
it takes to help the Mavericks take it to the next level."
   
Strickland: "I'm very happy to be returning to Dallas.  I hoped that I 
wouldn't have to leave Dallas, and it certainly worked out best for me.  I 
look forward to a long career with the Mavericks.  I was well received by 
the fans and that means a lot to me.  I think the organization is headed 
in the right direction, and I wanted to be a part of that from the start."

Strickland: "These are the fans that have embraced me as a undrafted 
free agent and supported me through a tough rookie season.  I promise
the fans, I will do whatever it takes.  I will give 100 percent.
Night-in and night-out ... blood, sweat and tears to do whatever it
takes to win here."

Strickland: "My teammates are great and that's one of the main reasons I
wanted to play here.  Everyone works hard and really seems to want to be 
here.  I wanted to be associated with that kind of team.  My expectations 
are always high coming into the season.  We are a young team and once we 
get the chance to gel and learn our roles, we'll learn to win.  I want an 
opportunity to do some nice things with the Mavericks."

Strickland: "I look forward to being a part of the Dallas/Fort Worth 
community for years to come.  One thing I learned growing up was the 
notion of responsibility, and I will be forming the Erick Strickland 
Foundation soon, so I can begin expressing my vision of my
responsibilities as a member of this community."
 

To free up the cap room, Dallas formally renounced their rights to Sasha
Danilovic.  Danilovic had signed with Buckler Bologna of the Italian
league June 1.

The Mavs currently have about $1.1 million under the cap.  They can use
that money either to sign a free agent or in a trade (per the trade rules,
Dallas can receive $1.1 million worth of 97-98 player salary more than
they send out in a trade - ie, send a draft pick and receive a player who
will earn $1.1 mill or send a $1 mill player and receive a $2.1 mill
player).  If the Mavs do sign a player or make a trade that puts them over
the cap, they will then have the $1 million exemption available to sign a
free agent (the rules for the exemption being available are having first
re-signed one of your own free agents [Strickland] and being over the
cap).

Apparently the amount the Southeast Melbourne Magic have asked the Mavs
for releasing Chris Anstey from his contract is around $500,000.  I said
when I first reported it and I'll repeat it - the Mavs are being cheap in
not paying to get Anstey in training camp.  The amount the Magic is asking
for is about the same as the Mavs got from Portland in the Anstey-Kelvin
Cato draft day trade.

Not that I support this, but to provide the information:
Auditions for next season's Mavericks dancers will held at Reunion Arena
Saturday at 8 am.  You must be 18 or older and have a high school degree.
Call the Mavs at 214-653-0243 for information.


patricia