The Dallas Mavericks waived guard Delonte West on Monday, ridding them of an off-the-court problem and providing a roster spot for Eddy Curry.
West had been suspended twice in less than two weeks for conduct detrimental to the team. The Mavs had suggested he was a bad influence on the young players.
The decision to leave him off the 15-player roster was not unexpected. But he may be picked up by another team willing to take a chance on him.
West, 29, played in seven preseason games for Dallas, averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game.
Last season, he played in 44 games, including 33 starts, for the Mavericks, and averaged 9.6 points.
Curry, picked up on waivers Thursday after he was cut by the Spurs on Tuesday, is expected to be the Mavs starting center in their regular-season opener on Tuesday against the Lakers.
—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.
–Chris McGowan, the Chief Operating Officer of AEG Sports, has been named the Portland Trail Blazers new President and Chief Executive Officer, the team announced Monday.
With AEG Sports, McGowan played a prominent executive role with the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
McGowan replaces Larry Miller, who resigned as the team’s president in July to return to Nike. General Manager Neil Olshey will continue handle player personnel issues.
–San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will not travel with the team for its season-opener in New Orleans because of a back problem. His back will be reassessed on Thursday, so he could be sidelined longer.
–Miami Heat frontcourt player Joel Anthony is not expected to play in the team’s season-opener against Boston because of a hamstring injury.