DALLAS, July 17 -- The Dallas Mavericks Wednesday signed free agent forward/center Chris Gatling to a five-year deal and renounced the rights to four players to fit him in under the salary cap. The Mavericks introduced the five-year veteran at an afternoon news conference.
KTCK Radio in Dallas reported Tuesday that the five-year agreement was for $22 million. To make room for Gatling, the Mavericks renounced the rights to guards Lucious Harris and Scott Brooks and forwards Lorenzo Williams and David Wood. The 6-10 Gatling averaged 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season with the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat, while ranking second in the NBA in field goal percentage (57.5). 'Dallas was my first choice and now it's my only choice,' said the 28-year-old Gatling. 'What I bring to the team is aggressiveness and I never quit. I'm a high energy player who works hard every day. I give 110 percent in practice and in games.' 'We're looking to get better and Chris Gatling should improve our flexibility,' said Dallas vice president of basketball operations Keith Grant. 'We went into the summer wanting to improve our center and power forward positions and the additions of Eric Montross, Samaki Walker and Chris Gatling accomplish that. Hopefully, these moves will translate into wins.' Gatling played his first four seasons with Golden State (1991-95). He averaged a career best 13.7 points and led the league in field goal percentage (63.3) in 1994-95.