Report: Al Jefferson Being Shopped To Dallas?

After the Minnesota Timberwolves traded for forward Michael Beasley and signed big men Nikola Pekovic and Darko Milicic, the writing on the wall for power forward Al Jefferson has transformed into graffiti. He’s headed out of Minnesota, one way or another.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that one possible landing spot for Jefferson is the Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas, meanwhile, is determined not to ship out Dampier’s fully unguaranteed $13 million contract just to take back someone else’s long-term deal.

The Mavs are telling teams that they have to furnish a clear roster upgrade if they want the ability to acquire Dampier, cut him instantly and wipe $13 million off the books.

Sources say Minnesota has 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. The Mavericks keep telling the Wolves that they won’t surrender Dampier’s contract in a Jefferson deal because they have it earmarked for a Gasol-type trade, such as a theoretical sign-and-trade arrangement for [LeBron] James or as the centerpiece of Dallas’ longstanding pursuit of [Chris] Paul.

For everything Timberwolves, head over to SB Nation’s Canis Hoopus.