By DWAIN PRICE
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Doug Christie wants to sign a one-year, $3 million contract offer from the Mavericks when he becomes a free agent next week, according to a league source.
He won't do anything, though, before he and his wife visit the area.
A 6-foot-6, 205-pound swingman, Christie would provide the Mavs with the defensive presence they've lacked on the perimeter since Raja Bell left in 2003.
Christie would also replace Michael Finley, whom the Mavs are expected to waive by Monday, barring an unexpected trade.
"Dallas is definitely one of the teams that are high on Doug's list, because of the type of team, the coaching staff, the city, and the way that his game is," Christie's agent, Bradley Marshall said.
All those things, we think, are a good fit for Doug."
Christie, a 13-year veteran, has one year left on his contract with Orlando that would pay him $8.2 million, but the Magic plan to use the league's new amnesty clause and release him Monday.
That would save the Magic $8.2 million in luxury tax dollars. The Mavs, likewise, would save $51.2 million in luxury tax dollars if they release Finley by Monday's deadline.
NBA rules prohibit Mavs officials from commenting on Christie because he's still under contract with Orlando.
But an NBA source said Christie is exactly who the Mavs need to inject new life into their suspect perimeter defense.
"He's long and defensive, and certainly no stranger to playoff basketball," the source said.
"He's also a pretty good decision-maker, and he plays the one, two and three, so I think it's great. He's a guy that's been around the block a few times, and I think it's a good fit."
Christie and his wife, Jackie, are planning to visit Dallas on Aug. 22
"I know Doug has always admired Dallas," Marshall said. "And we are planning to visit the city of Dallas in the next week or so to take in the team's facilities, and also to look around the city, because I'm not very familiar with Dallas."
The Christies have three children, and Marshall said Christie's mother-in-law also lives with the family, helping with the children.
"I think one of the important things for Doug is making sure his family is comfortable with the schooling and all of that," Marshall said. "That's important to him, but I think it'll be a nice fit."
Christie, 35, is a fierce and gritty defender who fits the mold of Mavs coach Avery Johnson, who is approaching his first full season as a coach.
Johnson is busy mapping a strategy to shape the Mavs into a team centered around defense.
Before being traded to Orlando in January, Christie was an NBA All-Defensive first-team selection in 2003 with Sacramento, and he was selected to the second team in '01, '02 and '04.
He led the league with 183 steals during the 2000-01 season.
Signing Christie would leave the Mavs with $2 million of their $5 million mid-level exception, which they hope to use to sign an inside player.
The Mavs are aggressively pursuing Houston Rockets free-agent center Dikembe Mutombo, but signing him could be a long shot.
"It looks more and more like he's going to go back to Houston," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavs' president of basketball operations. "He's got his family down there."
For now, the Mavs want Doug Christie to have himself and his family living in Dallas
