Ryan Hollins signs offer-sheet with Timberwolves, Dallas wont match

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Dallas Mavericks won't match T-wolves' offer to Hollins

By BILL NICHOLS / The Dallas Morning News
brnichols@dallasnews.com

Center Ryan Hollins won't be returning to the Mavericks.

Hollins, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet with the Minnesota Timberwolves that the Mavericks do not plan to match.

Matching Minnesota's three-year, $7 million offer for center Ryan Hollins would cost Dallas $14 million because of the luxury tax.

On his Twitter account, Mavs owner Mark Cuban congratulated Hollins and wished him well in Minnesota.

The Mavs have little reason to match. Hollins was reportedly offered a three-year deal worth $7 million, which would have translated to $14 million for Cuban because of the luxury tax.

The Mavs last week signed veteran Drew Gooden to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. He is expected to compete with Erick Dampier for the starting center job.

Hollins, 7-0, was drafted out of UCLA by Charlotte in 2006. He played just over two seasons before the Mavs acquired him in January. He has career averages of 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds.

David Kahn, Timberwolves president of basketball operations, said Hollins will be a good fit on the frontcourt with Kevin Love and Al Jefferson.

"We are excited about the opportunity to have Ryan Hollins on our team," Kahn said in a prepared statement. "He is a lengthy, athletic center with a lot of upside who should complement Al and Kevin really well. We've had our eye on him the past several weeks, and we are optimistic we can acquire him through this process."





Hollins is a serviceable, young center in this league...good pick up for Minnesota, considering they're in development stages. Hollins is an unpolished talent who can flourish with some development...


PG Jonny Flynn...Ricky Rubio/Chucky Atkins
SG Corey Brewer...Bobby Brown/Wayne Ellington
SF Ryan Gomes...Quentin Richardson/Damien Wilkins
PF Kevin Love...Darius Songaila/Brian Cardinal
C Al Jefferson...Ryan Hollins/Oleksiy Pecherov


one of the more talented up-and-coming teams in the league...still a few years away from playoff contention, but they've got the athletes, no question.

[Skindiana bon3z]

LOL@ Brian Cardinal...can't believe he's still in the league.