DALLAS – Doug Christie is an ex-Maverick.
Mavs coach Avery Johnson admitted as much Thursday morning after a brisk practice at American Airlines Center. The team is just awaiting official word from the NBA commissioner’s office.
"We should have some resolution on it tomorrow," Johnson said.
The move frees up a spot on the 15-man roster. Johnson plans to fill the opening, though hasn’t set a timetable. The Mavs can only offer the league minimum.
"We’re not rushing there yet," Johnson said. "We will be bringing in somebody else. We may have some workouts possibly for a couple guys."
Among the possible replacements: Wesley Person, Rodney White and Felipe Lopez. Adrian Griffin and Erick Strickland, both former Mavs, are also free agents.
Former first-round pick Casey Jacobsen is also an intriguing candidate, though he’s playing in Spain.
Christie, 35, never panned out as the replacement for Michael Finley. Plagued by a sore left ankle since the beginning of training camp, Christie started the first seven games but was hardly a factor.
He averaged only 3.7 points and 2.0 assists before getting permission to leave the team. Christie returned to his hometown of Seattle for additional tests on the ankle, which was operated on in April.
The Mavs medical staff was never given complete records on the surgery to remove bone spurs. Christie had the procedure while a member of the Orlando Magic.
Mavs owner Mark Cuban, however, points out that Christie never tried to deceive the team about the condition of his ankle.
