Mavericks sign Bernard James to 10-day contract
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The Dallas Mavericks are looking for a little insurance at the pivot with starting center Tyson Chandler temporarily sidelined with an ankle injury suffered Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dallas picked up a Band-Aid on Wednesday by signing Bernard James to a 10-day deal, the team announced.
The 6-foot-10 center played parts of the last two seasons with the Mavericks. While he was used sparingly due to his stark offensive limitations, he proved a capable rim protector, averaging 2.7 blocks per 36 minutes across 76 games.
He received a training camp deal in the offseason, before being cut and plying his trade in China with the Shanghai Sharks.
The Mavericks drafted James 33rd overall out of Florida State in 2012. He began his collegiate career at Tallahassee Community College after serving for six years as a security forces specialist in the U.S. Air Force.
With just one game remaining before an extended All-Star break, a 10-day contract for James covers just three games - assuming he'll be available for the Mavericks' tilt Wednesday with the Utah Jazz.
The Mavericks are also known to be hunting free-agent big man Jermaine O'Neal, and buyout candidate Amar'e Stoudemire.