Thursday, July 29, 1999

Carter gets offers
from Heat, Mavs

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

Former University of Hawaii point guard Anthony "AC" Carter said this morning the Miami Heat have guaranteed him the full minimum one-year salary for a rookie to report to training camp with them in October.

The Dallas Mavericks have also invited Carter to their camp. But Dallas assistant coach Donnie Nelson, who's been coaching Carter in summer league play, said this morning from Utah that his organization's invitation did not carry a guarantee.

"We were willing to come to some partial agreement where we could guarantee him a certain number," said Nelson, son of head coach Don Nelson. "But, from what I understand, the Heat guaranteed him the full contract."

The current minimum for NBA rookies is $301,875, according to the NBA Players Association.

The Heat would not confirm their offer this morning.

Free agent rookies can not sign until Sunday.

Nelson said that Carter's California-based agent, Bill Duffy, was flying into Salt Lake City, Utah, today, where the Mavericks have a team in the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league.

"We're going to sit down and talk to him," said Nelson. "Nothing has been done yet. But we know what the offer is, and either we step up and do something or he'll (Carter) have to take advantage of the Miami offer."

Nelson said the Mavericks already have ready put out a lot of guarantees and that could hinder the team's ability to match Miami's offer.

But he said he would prefer to keep Carter, if at all possible.

"My dad and I both love him," said Nelson. "He's maybe the best summer league player I've ever coached. He's going to be in this league (NBA), no question about it. But we have a lot of stuff on the table, like other NBA teams. There could be a lot of room and there could be none."

Miami currently has four guards on its roster: Tim Hardaway, Voshon Leonard, Rex Walters and Terry Porter.

Carter was an honorable mention All-American with the Rainbows after the 1996-97 season and and averaged 18.4 and 6.9 assists while leading them to a NIT berth in the 1997-98 season.

The Heat open their 1999-2000 season on Nov. 2 at home in Miami Arena against the Detroit Pistons. The team will play its final 28 home games at the new 20,000-seat AmericanAirlines Arena.