It doesn’t seem like Mike James is growing tired from fighting for his place in the NBA, as the veteran point guard is back in talks with the Dallas Mavericks regarding a return to the team he played for last year, while the New York Knicks are also watching from the outside, keeping him as an option for their final roster spots.
However, despite the interest from the big apple, a team James hasn’t played for before (and he loves switching allegiances), the Mavs seem like the closest thing to a new-old team for him. They’ve been in contact with him since the beginning of free agency, and while it seems like they have plenty of guards on their roster, they’re trying to add James along , at least for preseason before making any further decisions.
For James, there aren’t that many options out there. What he is looking for is a contract that guarantees him some money and mostly time, meaning not a deal that takes him into training camp and makes it available for him to be cut. However, at 38, the chances of getting anything guaranteed right away, even a minimum deal, seem unlikely.
For the last couple of seasons, James had to battle his way into the league, not getting picked up before the season began. In 2011-2012 he played 11 games for the Chicago Bulls as they were trying to find someone to fill in the minutes for Derrick Rose (James played just over 10 a game).
Last season he got himself into a slightly bigger role, playing 45 games for the Dallas Mavericks, starting in 23 of them. He averaged 6.1 points and 3.1 assists per game, showing he still has a place in this league, even at the smallest of roles.
James has dropped to his rookie weight in order to keep himself in shape and ready for yet another NBA season, as the Mavs might actually use him as something of a 2-guard possibly, considering he’s an excellent three point shooter and they’re loaded at the moment at point guard. The Knicks have a similar idea in mind, filling the roster with guard, preferably guys who can play both positions.