Maurice NDour looked good for the Knicks at Summer League. He had great energy and outworked people at both ends of the floor, was disruptive on defense thanks to his length, and a averaged 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds a game, while shooting 51.2 percent.
Knicks coach Derek Fisher said they liked what they saw from NDour, but they were not sure they would have an open roster spot for him come training camp.
So instead NDour is headed to Dallas, reports Ian Begley of ESPN.
Maurice NDour has agreed to a deal with Dallas, per league sources. Sources say Mavs offered more guaranteed money than #Knicks.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 23, 2015
There are two reasons for NDour — who is from Senegal and played his college ball at Ohio (not State) — to make this move, and money is the first one. If you’re going to get cut, get the largest payday you can.
Second is not getting cut at all — where can he make a roster?
Dallas gives him a chance as a reserve center. Zaza Pachulia will be the starting five this season in Dallas, but they are bringing a lot of players to camp to see who might back him up . Greg Smith and Bernard James could return after playing in Dallas last season but neither are for sure. Jarrid Famous got a camp invite like NDour, and Satnam Singh will be in camp but is much more likely destined for a season in the D-League.
Dallas famously lost out on DeAndre Jordan this summer, and that left the team in need of rim protection inside. NDour and Famous will get a chance to prove they can provide that.