The Orlando Magic traded a future pick to the Denver Nuggets for the rights to the 20th-overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft, former St. Joseph’s Hawks’ point guard Jameer Nelson. Nelson spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Magic. He had a fine career in Orlando and was even named to the 2009 All-Star team. However, with the Magic rebuilding and trading for the rights to another point guard, former Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns’ floor general Elfrid Payton, it was clear Nelson’s time in Orlando was up. The final year of Nelson’s deal for the 2014-2015 was worth $8 million but only $2 million was guaranteed so the Magic waived Nelson before the July 15 deadline, making him an unrestricted free agent.
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Nelson has had several suitors, including the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans, but it looks like he ha found a home with the Dallas Mavericks. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Mavericks and Nelson are set to formalize a contract on Thursday.
"The Dallas Mavericks are closing in on signing former Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson, according to sources briefed on the talks.Sources told ESPN.com that Nelson and the Mavericks, barring an unforeseen snag, are on track to formalize a contract Thursday, when Nelson visits Dallas.ESPN.com reported Tuesday that the Mavericks had arranged to fly Nelson into town for a face-to-face visit Thursday in the hopes of finalizing a deal via use of their $2.7 million room exception."
Nelson averaged 12.1 points, 7.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 39.4% from the field, 34.8% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the free throw line last season.