The Mavericks have signed 26-year old guard Dee Brown and Adam Haluska. Brown played played in 2008-2009 with the Suns & Wizards. Brown has played in 68 games (11 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 10.5 minutes, 2.1 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.8 assists per game. But, Brown is only a 34% shooter from the floor so he will likely have a hard time making the team. Adam Haluska last played pro ball in the U.S. in 2007-08 in the D-League with the Iowa Energy. Haluska played in 11 games (all starts) that season and he averaged 38.5 minutes, 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Brown & Haluska are both big longshots to make the Mavericks this year.

The Mavericks have signed 33-year old small forward Brian Cardinal. Cardinal played in 29 games (0 starts) for the T-Wolves last year and he averaged 9.2 minutes, 1.7 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.8 assists per game. He has played in 356 games (33 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.7 minutes, 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Cardinal has been a decent outside shooter in this NBA career as he has knocked down 36.9% of his shots from three point range and that’s likely why the Mavericks signed him.

The Mavericks have invited 27-year old small forward Steve Novak to training camp. Novak played in 54 games (0 starts) for the Clippers last year and he averaged 10.1 minutes, 2.1 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. He has now played in 195 games (4 starts) in his four years in the NBA and he has averaged 10.1 minutes, 4.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Novak’s main skill is his long distance shooting as he has connected on 40.3% from three point range. If he makes the team he will be sitting on the very end of the bench.

37-year old point guard Jason Kidd still has something left in the gas tank but the Mavericks have some youngsters behind him who needs some minutes. Look for Kidd to play around 30 minutes a night in 2010-11. Kidd played in 80 games (all starts) for the Mavericks last season and he averaged 36.0 minutes, 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He has now played in 1,187 games (1,174 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 37.1 minutes, 13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Kidd is still a great passer and a willing rebounder but he’s getting close to losing his edge.

22-year old Rodrigue Beaubois had his moments last year as a rookie and that’s why the Mavericks refused to deal him. Beaubois played in 56 games (16 starts) last season and he averaged 12.5 minutes, 7.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 51.8% from the floor and 40.9% from three point range as he can put the ball in the bucket. He is rail thin though at 6’0″, 170 pounds so the Mavericks will always have to watch his minutes to limit how beat up he’s going to get.

26-year old Jose Juan Barea is also a solid little player. Barea played in 78 games (18 starts) for the Mavericks last season and he averaged 19.8 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He has now played in 234 games (43 starts) in his four years with the Mavericks and he has averaged 16.2 minutes, 6.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Barea can also handle shooting guard so he should find around 20 minutes per night in 2010-11.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE MAVERICKS POINT GUARDS IN 2010-11: B