| | DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks owner-in-waiting Mark Cuban made Dennis Rodman his house guest during negotiations that could lead to Rodman joining the NBA team.
"Dennis is going to be spending another night in Dallas,"
Chris Suter, his Los Angeles-based publicist, said Wednesday.
"Negotitations are progressing, I expect him to make a decison in
the next 24 hours."
| |  | | Rodman |
Rodman was in town Tuesday night for the Mavericks' 101-100 loss
to Philadelphia, but wasn't courtside for the game.
Cuban returned Tuesday night from a clandestine trip to Los
Angeles, where he picked up Rodman. Cuban dropped off Rodman at the
4,000-square-foot visitors' quarters adjacent to his mansion in
Dallas, then arrived late for Tuesday night's game against
Philadelphia.
Cuban said he didn't take Rodman to the game with him so as to
ensure that nothing would "take away from Michael Finley's
moment." Earlier in the day, Finley earned the first All-Star
berth of his career.
The 38-year-old power forward grew up in Dallas and still has
family in the area.
Cuban, founder of Broadcast.com, which made millions for him,
bought majority interest in the Mavericks last month.
The controversial Rodman could debut with the Mavericks as soon
as Thursday or as late as Wednesday of next week, Cuban said.
"Nothing's been signed and, again, with Dennis you never know
until it's done," Cuban said. "But I wouldn't have changed my
schedule around and flown him all the way back here if I didn't
think it was going to happen."
Cuban said Rodman would spend much of this week working out in
an attempt to get in shape for a return to the NBA. Mavericks coach
and general manager Don Nelson said Rodman is probably "a week
away" from playing.
"The plan is to get him signed by Thursday night," Cuban said.
"Dennis is going to be doing his thing, working out like crazy,
doing everything he does to get ready."
Once Rodman gets in shape and learns the Mavericks' plays, he
won't be required to practice. Cuban has agreed to let Rodman ride
a courtside exercise bike during the team's workouts as long as he
attends each session. | |
 |
