Josh Howard

The Wizards will re-sign forward Josh Howard, according to a source.

Washington acquired Howard along with Drew Gooden, James Singleton and Quinton Ross in a February trade with Dallas.

Howard will sign a one-year worth close to $4 million deal with the Wizards.

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Al Harrington

The Denver Nuggets reached an agreement in principle Tuesday night on a five-year, $34 million contract with free-agent forward Al Harrington.

The Nuggets had to outbid the Dallas Mavericks to secure Harrington’s signature after Dallas followed up its trade acquisition of Tyson Chandler earlier Tuesday with a hard push for Harrington.

The former New York Knicks backup tweeted: “I’m taking my Talents to the MILE HIGH.”

ESPN.com

Al Jefferson

It appears the Al Jefferson sweepstakes are about to come to an end, and the winners are the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz will reportedly send the $13 million Traded Player Exception they obtained by signing and trading Carlos Boozer to the Chicago Bulls to Minnesota in exchange for Jefferson, who will effectively replace Boozer in the lineup.

The Jazz were just one of many teams who were looking to deal with the Timberwolves, who had conversations with teams ranging from the New Jersey Nets to the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Erick Dampier

Dallas president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said Friday that he is still “actively” trying to make a trade score with Erick Dampier’s lucrative non-guaranteed contract.

But Nelson, in an appearance on ESPN’s “Galloway & Company” show, confirmed earlier Friday that there is suddenly a real possibility that the Mavs will not use their vaunted Dampier trade chip.

According to sources, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been urging Dallas to part with Dampier’s contract — and draft considerations — in exchange for Al Jefferson, who has three years left on his contract at $42 million.

HoopsWorld

Nowitzki, Haslem

The Mavericks have offered Udonis Haslem a three-year, $20 million contract, sources indicated to Yahoo! Sports.

Dallas has offered Haslem their full midlevel exception starting at $5.85 million this season, a league source said.

Miami wants to re-sign Haslem to play with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James. Haslem shares the same agent as Wade and Bosh, and has expressed a strong desire to return to the Heat.

Dallas is attempting to present an offer that would make it difficult for Miami to retain Haslem.

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Brendan Haywood

The Mavericks have agreed to terms on a six-year, $55 million contract with free-agent center Brendan Haywood, league sources have told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.

Dallas acquired Haywood at midseason in a trade with Washington.

Haywood was also being courted by Miami and Cleveland.

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Jermaine O'Neal

The Dallas Mavericks have been rumored to be interested in signing ]Jermaine O’Neal, who spent last season with the Miami Heat, pouring in 13.6 points per game along with 1.4 blocks and 6.9 rebounds.

According to a report, the 31-year-old center would more likely go to the Mavs as a “straight free-agent signing, not a sign-and-trade.”

Yahoo Sports

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks have agreed to a four-year contract.

Nowitzki will be guaranteed $80 million over the length of the contract and accepted less money in order to give the Mavericks more room to make additional moves.

Nowitzki’s deal also contains a no-trade clause.

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Joe Johnson

According to sources, the Hawks did offer free agent Joe Johnson a full max contract said to be worth $127 million yesterday and that he is close to agreeing to those terms to remain in Atlanta.

Johnson also met yesterday with Knicks’ coach Mike D’Antoni and may meet with Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban today.

The Bulls and Rockets have also expressed interest in meeting with Johnson.

HoopsWorld

Joe Johnson

The Mavericks will explore a sign-and-trade deal for Joe Johnson, according to sources.

Dallas is unlikely to seriously pursue LeBron James and Johnson has become a realistic target.

Johnson might prefer a sign-and-trade with Dallas over signing outright with the Knicks or Bulls, sources said.

“New York is far from his first option,” one source with knowledge of Johnson’s thinking said.

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