Mavs sign top pick Harris, Daniels returns
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-03 16:20

A day after losing Steve Nash, the Dallas Mavericks secured their new backcourt.

Dallas Mavericks guard Steve Nash glides though the Cleveland Cavaliers defense during the third quarter Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004, in Cleveland. Nash agreed to a five-year, US$65 million deal with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, July 1, 2004, leaving the Mavericks to return to the team that drafted him eight years ago. [AP]

Marquis Daniels, a restricted free agent, agreed Friday to a six-year deal worth roughly US$38 million and top draft pick Devin Harris signed a contract for at least US$7 million over three years.

The duo could take the court together this weekend.

Harris already has joined the Mavericks' summer league team and Daniels was expected to be added in time for exhibition games against China's national team this weekend. Harris had 15 points in the first game against China on Thursday night.

Harris is coming off a junior season at Wisconsin in which he was chosen the Big Ten player of the year. He also broke the school's single-season scoring record, previously held by Mavs star Michael Finley.

Harris was drafted fifth overall by Washington, then dealt to Dallas with Christian Laettner and Jerry Stackhouse in exchange for Antawn Jamison. Details of his salary, which was limited by the league's rookie scale, were not immediately available; however, last year's scale paid the fifth pick US$2.2 million in his first season.

The Mavs acquired Harris to be Nash's backup and eventual replacement. The succession plan was speeded up by Nash's decision Thursday to sign with the Phoenix Suns.

About the same time Thursday night that Dallas decided not to try matching Phoenix's offer, they agreed to a deal with Daniels. Nothing can be signed until July 14.

Daniels, who made the league minimum of US$366,931 last season after going undrafted out of Auburn, will receive the midlevel exception of around US$5 million this season, then have annual raises of 10 percent. The exact figures will be set by the league before July 14.

"Once we got what we wanted, from the team we wanted, Marquis said, `Let's get it done,'" agent Glenn Schwartzman said Friday. "This is where his heart is."

Daniels made Dallas' roster in training camp. By scoring 30 points in three of his 15 regular-season starts, and averaging 15.8 in the playoffs, Daniels turned himself into quite a commodity on the free-agent market.

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