Caron Butler’s Agent: Mavs Want Long-Term Deal

The Dallas Mavericks won a title this past season without Caron Butler’s services in the postseason, but it’s not something they’d like to go through again for a number of years. ESPN reports: “The Dallas Mavericks’ intentions are to sign unrestricted free agent Caron Butler to a long-term contract, agent Raymond Brothers said Wednesday. During the playoffs and again after the Mavericks won the NBA championship, Brothers said Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson told him the club wants to re-sign the nine-year veteran. ‘After the championship was over,’ Brothers said, ‘Donnie texted me and told me he wanted Caron to be part of the team long term.’ Nelson is prohibited from commenting on the matter. NBA clubs are prohibited from talking to or about players during the lockout, and all negotiations between teams and players and their representatives ceased on June 30. ‘His preference is to stay with Dallas and help them compete for a championship,’ Brothers said. ‘We are optimistic and hopeful that we’ll come to an agreement that works for both sides.'”