Delonte West Suspended by Mavericks

Another year, more Delonte West drama. 

West has been suspended by the Dallas Mavericks for conduct detrimental to the team.  According to sources, the suspension stems from an outburst by West in the locker room following a Mavericks victory on Monday.  No timetable has been given to how long West will be suspended.

"Hopefully, we can get it resolved quickly.  Until we talk to him and hash through it I won't know for sure." -Coach Carlisle
 

 UPDATE OCTOBER 30TH: West was waived by the Mavericks Monday to trim roster to the mandated 15-player limit.  After being suspended twice in a month, according to sources the Mavs were concerned that West negatively influencing younger players on the team.

Lamar Odom Traded to Clippers

Well we all know how Lamar Odom felt about being in Dallas and it showed in his play. Well look like Dallas is fed up with his acting out and Odom is headed to back to LA, only this time he won't be with his beloved Lakers. Lamar Odom is headed back to where his career began as the Mavericks traded Odom to the Clippers Friday as part of a four team trade. The Clippers sent Mo Williams to the Utah Jazz who will use the trade exception it created in the Mehmet Okur deal with the Nets this past season to take on Williams contact. Mavericks will create their own trade exception worth $8.9 million by shedding Odom's contract without taking any salary back. The mavericks received the draft rights to Forward Tadija Dragicevic from Utah and cash considerations from the Houston Rockets. The Clippers sent draft rights to second round pick Furkan Aldemir to Houston in the trade. Jazz also received draft rights to Shan Foster from the mavericks.

Dallas originally had until Friday to either pay $2.4 million to buyout Odom's $8.2 million salary for next season or have him on the books for the 2012-2023 season. Mavericks and Odom agreed to extend the buyout deadline in Odom's contract to Saturday while Williams decided on whether to pick up his $8.5 million option for next season.

Mavericks Bounce Back

Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America

After a 6-game losing streak, the longest losing streak they've had in almost 11 years, the Dallas Mavericks bounced back last night against the LA Lakers.  Dirk Nowitzki was added back to the line-up Saturday 1/15/11 after an injury has had him out since December 27, 2010.  The game was a definite toe-to-toe, duke it out match-up as the teams were back and forth the entire game.  At the half both teams were shooting above 50% and the Lakers were up by 4, 56-52.  The Mavericks were able to fight back for the lead as they went on a 17-4 run to end the 3rd quarter and put them ahead of the Lakers 82-73.  The Mavs held off for the 109-100 victory over the Lakers, with 2 players, Terry and Marion ending the night with 22 points.  Jason Kidd also had a red-hot night with 21 points and was 5-8 from the 3-point range. Dirk had 14 points, 8 rebounds in the win and Kobe had 21 points, 10 assists, and Gasol had 23 points in the lost.

Mavericks Struggle

With Dirk Nowitzki being out for the last 9 games, the Mavericks have struggled going only 2-7 the last 9 games.  Before Dirk went out on December 27th the Mavs were 24-5 and were running in a close second in the Western Conference behind the San Antonio Spurs.  The Mavs have now fell to third place in the Western Conference standings behind the #1 Spurs and now #2 Lakers.  In their 9th game without Dirk last night they took on the Spurs in San Antonio and once again fell to deliver without Dirk in the line-up.  The Mavs lost to the Spurs last night 89-101 which has now left them 7 games behind the Spurs for the #1 spot.  The Mavs believe that Nowitzki will return to the court next week but are still unsure.  The Mavs continue their 4 game road trip tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.