Maurice

Ager

He can play defense, shoot, handle the ball and score, so he appears to be an excellent pick by the Mavericks this late in the game. The Knicks are on the clock!

Ager is a 6-foot-5, 202-pound guard from Michigan State, who was drafted with the 28th overall pick. He averaged 19.3 points a game as a senior.

He’ll need to develop quickly if he’s going to play a big role in the Mavericks rotation this season, but the departure of Marquis Daniels opens the door for him to have success as a rookie.

Normally, summer-league rosters are made up of young players, but Diop will reportedly play to work on his offensive game as he enters the final year of his contract. Second-year guard Moe Ager, also hoping for a big season in 2007-08, will be on the summer-league roster, too.

The deal is worth $4 million, but Jones says he’s been given no guarantee as far as playing time goes. He’ll have to compete for time at shooting guard and small forward with Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, Greg Buckner and Maurice Ager. Jones is confident his injury problems are behind him and if he can put up numbers like he did when he arrived in Miami last year, he’ll be worth using.

The Mavs rested stars Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse, allowing Ager to steal the spotlight. He added four boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks, and also hit a three on the night. He’s a promising young player, but it’s unlikely he’ll have any fantasy value this season.

Mavericks’ head coach Avery Johnson said he plans to start Ager again, “but admitted that the shooting guard spot will remain in a state of flux until Eddie Jones returns.” In other words, avoid Ager even if he strings together two decent games.

Mo Ager will be starting for a while, according to Johnson, who said, “I’m going to have some patience there. He’s been awfully good overall.” Don’t expect Ager to have any fantasy value this year, but at least the Mavericks will have some stability in their back-court.

Even if Ager plays well, his fantasy value will be fleeting within the tremendously deep Mavericks’ lineup, so don’t run out to grab him because he’s starting.

Ager is currently in the D-League, and won’t have value even if he is re-called to the NBA.