Eddy Curry, who was waived by the Spurs last Tuesday and picked up by the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, is expected to be the Mavs’ starting center in their regular-season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports.
The 7-foot Curry is being pushed into service because Chris Kaman is still out with a calf injury, and the Mavs need some size in the middle to go against Lakers center Dwight Howard.
Curry, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2001, has been a major disappointment in the pros. He has played in just 24 games (including one start) in the past three seasons combined. He has more personal fouls (35) than rebounds (29) in that span, but was a member of the world champion Miami Heat last season, even though he did not play in the playoffs.
Curry, 29, was immediately put into the starting lineup for the Mavs’ final preseason game against the Bobcats over the weekend, and he came up with 11 points and seven rebounds, enough to earn him a starting role in this situation.