Mavs sign C Diop

Jul 9, 2008 - 10:12 PM DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday signed free-agent center DeSagana Diop.

Terms were not disclosed for Diop, who rejoins the Mavs after being traded to the New Jersey Nets in February in the deal that brought Jason Kidd to Dallas.

While he offers size, the 7-foot Diop fails to bring much of anything else to the table. The 7-foot Senegal native, who was drafted eighth overall by Cleveland in 2000, has career averages of 2.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 434 games.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Gana back into the Mavericks family," general manager Donnie Nelson said. "At the age of 26, he is a young center in the his prime that also possesses significant playoff experience."

The Mavericks also re-signed point guard Jose Juan Barea at undisclosed terms. Barea played in 44 contests last season - nine starts - and averaged a career-best 4.3 points. He originally was signed by Dallas as a free agent on August 17, 2006.

"J.J. has worked extremely hard and has developed into a fine NBA point guard," Nelson said.