The Mavericks on Tuesday did some end-of-roster shuffling. They signed guard Kyle Collinsworth to a two-way contract and requested waivers on swingman Antonius Cleveland and center Jeff Withey.
The moves were in part necessitated by a left ankle injury Cleveland suffered Monday night against Phoenix and the nearing availability of Josh McRoberts, but this also is what 8-23 teams do.
They tinker. They try to upgrade, incidental though the moves might seem to fans. And they make financial decisions.
The waiving of Kansas product Withey, 27, might surprise fans because he signed a two-year, $3.37 deal last summer, making him the only true center on the roster under contract beyond this season.