Mavs Sign Nash To Extension

Steve Nash Monday became the Dallas Mavericks' point guard of the present and future.

The former Phoenix Sun, who had one year left on his existing deal, signed a six-year extension Monday. Financial terms of the new pact were undisclosed but the Dallas Morning News is reporting it is for more than $18 million.

The Mavericks have called a news conference for 2:30 p.m. ET.

"We are excited to be able to extend Steve's contract," Dallas coach-general manager Don Nelson said. "He was highly sought after last season and we were fortunate to get him in a trade."

Acquired from the Phoenix Suns on draft day for a pair of reserves and a first-round pick, Nash will collect $1.053 million in 1999 during the final year of a three-year deal.

"I'm very happy," Nash told the newspaper after Sunday's practice. "They want me to be here, and they're showing it. This is where I want to be."

While relatively inexperienced, Nash would complete a young, talented backcourt next to shooting guard Michael Finley. The 15th overall pick by the Suns in the 1996 draft, Nash averaged 9.1 points and 3.5 assists last season in a reserve role.

In 141 career games, the 6-foot-3 Canadian has averaged 6.3 points and 2.8 assists. He also has totaled 27 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in eight career postseason appearances.

Nelson is hoping Nash will help the Mavericks rebound from a horrific 1997-98 season and get the team back in the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

Last season, Erick Strickland, a former undrafted free agent, ran the point in the absence of injury-prone starter Robert Pack and averaged 7.6 points and 2.5 assists in 67 games.

Pack becomes expendable with Monday's commitment to Nash but would be hard to deal with his $3.24 million 1999 price tag. He played in only 12 games last season and has mised an average of 47 the past four campaigns.

Finley, who is signed through the 2002-03 campaign, is one of the league's brightest young stars, having led last season's 20-62 squad with a 21.5 point scoring average.

"After extending Michael Finley's contract last year, we have now locked up our starting backcourt for the next five years," Nelson said.

But Dallas' frontcourt is a potential liability. It includes enigmatic center Shawn Bradley, veteran forward-center Hot Rod Williams and forwards A.C. Green, Samaki Walker, rookie Dirk Nowitzki and Gary Trent, who signed Saturday.

Scoring forward Cedric Ceballos remains unsigned.

© 1999 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved