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The Dallas Mavericks are close to finalizing a three-year deal with free agent Devin Harris, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. The point guard reportedly met with Dallas owner Mark Cuban as soon as free agency began at midnight on Tuesday.
I'm told that Devin Harris deal reported by @ESPNSteinLine is for same terms originally agreed to last summer (3 years, $9-plus million).
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 5, 2014
Keeping him was obviously a priority for the Mavs after trading away last year's starting point guard, Jose Calderon. Harris was a key contributor for Dallas, averaging 7.9 points and 4.5 assists in 40 games after returning from a toe injury.
Harris and the Mavs had agreed to a long-term deal last summer, but he eventually signed only a one-year contract after the injury. He emerged as an even more important part of the team in the playoffs, when Calderon's minutes dwindled due to the San Antonio Spurs exploiting him on defense. Given that Raymond Felton, acquired from the New York Knicks in the Calderon deal, is also a deficient defender, Dallas needed to get something done with Harris.
