Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte Bobcats traded center Tyson Chandler to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday in a five-player trade.

Along with Chandler, the Mavericks acquired center Alexis Ajinca, while the Bobcats received center Erick Dampier, shooting guard Matt Carroll, forward Eduardo Najera and cash considerations.

"Our main goal this offseason was finding a way to reshape this roster and continue the momentum we have established," Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said. "While it's always difficult to give up key pieces of your team, we believe this deal will give financial flexibility and the ability to improve our team at the same time."

Chandler spent last season with the Bobcats, who acquired him from New Orleans in July 2009 in exchange for Emeka Okafor. In 51 games in 2009-10, Chandler averaged 6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Chandler entered the league after being selected with the second overall pick of the 2001 draft. In 588 career games with the Bulls, Hornets and Bobcats, the 27-year-old has averaged 8.1 points, 8.8 boards and 1.4 blocks.

Ajinca, the 20th overall selection of the 2008 draft, averaged 2.2 points and 0.9 rebounds in 37 games over two seasons.

Dampier, who will turn 35 years old Wednesday, had spent the last six seasons with Dallas, and in 2009-10 averaged 6.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 55 games. Over 921 career contests with Indiana, Golden State and Dallas, Dampier has posted averages of 7.8 points, 7.4 boards and 1.5 blocks.

Carroll returns to the Bobcats, who traded him to the Mavericks in January 2009 after he signed with the team in February 2005. He has averaged 7.5 points in 351 career games with Portland, San Antonio, Charlotte and Dallas.

Najera owns career averages of 5.2 points and 3.9 boards in 566 games with Dallas, Denver, Golden State and New Jersey.


Tyrus Thomas returning to Bobcats
Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte Bobcats have reached an agreement to bring back power forward Tyrus Thomas.

The Charlotte Observer confirmed that a deal has been agreed to in principle between the two sides which is thought to be for five years and $40 million. The Bobcats extended a qualifying offer to Thomas last month, making him a restricted free agent.

Thomas came to Charlotte from Chicago in a February trade, and averaged 10.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 25 games for the Bobcats. Overall in 2009-10, Thomas had averages of 9.4 points, 6.2 boards and 1.6 blocks in 54 contests.

Selected fourth overall in the 2006 draft out of LSU, the 23-year-old Thomas has averaged 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 279 career games, including 95 starts, over four seasons with Chicago and Charlotte.


Gay decides to stay in Memphis
Memphis, TN - Rudy Gay has agreed to stay in Memphis as he will sign a five-year deal with the Grizzlies.

It is being reported that the deal could net the 23-year-old a little more than $80 million over the length of the contract.

Gay, the eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft, ranked second on the Grizzlies' scoring list last season with 19.6 points per game, adding 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 80 contests.

Over his four-year career, Gay has averaged 17.4 points and 5.5 boards in 318 contests -- all with Memphis.


Clippers add Foye, Gomes
Los Angeles, CA - The Los Angeles Clippers have come to terms on contracts with forward Ryan Gomes and guard Randy Foye.

The Los Angeles Times reports Foye's deal is for two years and more than $8 million. Gomes' deal is reportedly for three years and $12 million.

Last season Gomes scored 11.0 points a game and had 4.6 boards over 76 contests for Minnesota, his fifth season in the NBA. He was traded on draft night to Portland, but was then waived just five days later.

Foye averaged 10.1 points over 70 contests last season while playing for Washington. He played with Gomes at Minnesota, spending three seasons with the Timberwolves.


Duhon headed to Orlando
Charlotte, NC - The Orlando Magic have agreed to terms with point guard Chris Duhon.

According to the Sporting News, Duhon will sign a four-year deal worth $15 million to back up Jameer Nelson.

Duhon played his first four seasons with Chicago and spent the past two years with the Knicks. He averaged 7.4 points and 5.6 assists for New York last season and owns career averages of 7.7 points and 5.1 assists in 446 NBA games.


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