USA - Terry agrees extension with Mavs

DALLAS (NBA) - The Dallas Mavericks have taken a huge step towards making another run at the NBA Finals after re-signing Jason Terry.

According to reports in the Dallas Morning News and Forth Worth Star-Telegram, Terry - a free agent - has agreed a six-year, $50 million contract to stay in Dallas.

One of the top free agents in a weak market, Terry can officially sign the contract as early as July 12. He averaged 22 points per game in the NBA Finals, where Dallas won the first two games before losing the next four to the Miami Heat.

"(Terry) wanted to stay and we wanted him to stay," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told the Dallas Morning News. "He was vital to our Finals run and, like all of us, wants to finish what we started."

"Obviously, we all were disappointed that we didn't win the championship, but now that we are keeping our team intact and adding a couple of pieces, there is no question that we will be back competing for the championship next season," Terry told the newspaper.

Terry, 28, made $6.66 million last season, the final year of a three-year deal. The reports indicated his new deal will begin at about $7 million and be worth $50 million.

A combo guard with a sweet outside stroke, Terry last season averaged 17.1 points and 3.8 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field, including 41 percent from 3-point range.

In the play-offs, Terry averaged 18.9 points and 3.8 assists. He had three 30-point games in the post-season after registering just two in the regular season.

PA Sport