Samuel Dalembert (Photo : REUTERS)
Center Samuel Dalembert is the newest addition to the platoon of centers the Dallas Mavericks is assembling to complement star forward Dirk Nowitzki.
The Mavs will bring more than 15 guaranteed contracts in forming the best group of centers possible.
The platoon scheme has become the Mavericks' quick fix alternative after DeAndre Jordan reneged on his commitment to join them--that also caused the team to lose out on other top centers in the market.
Dalembert, who was inked to a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum, will split time at center with Zaza Pachulia, who was earlier acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks
Th Mavs also secured the services of summer league sensation Maurice NDour of Senegal for an undisclosed amount.
The team is reportedly close to signing Tunisian center Salah Mejri to a three-year deal and is pursuing veteran free agent JaVale McGee.
The 34-year-old Dalembert was inactive since January after being waived the New York Knicks, where he averaged 4.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Dalembert, a native of Haiti, was the Mavericks starting center in 2013-14, where he had 6.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game averages.
The Mavs dealt him to the Knicks in the Tyson Chandler trade.
Nothing much is known about this 6'9" rookie Ndour, other than what he showed during the summer league and the fact that he had a stint with Monroe College before spending two season with Ohio University.
He exhibited a skill set unique for centers, hitting from beyond the 3-point area and has great ball handling skills beneath the rim.
The 23-year-old Ndour also has a 7'6" wingspan, which allows him to block opposing shots from either outside the paint or within the lane.
Ndour averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 28.3 minutes per game during the summer league and scored a team-high 23 points against the Philadelphia 76ers.
