By Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports 9 minutes ago

The Dallas Mavericks have reached agreement on a six-year, $55 million contract to re-sign center Brendan Haywood(notes), a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

Haywood came to Dallas in the middle of last season in a trade that also delivered Caron Butler(notes) and DeShawn Stevenson(notes) to the Mavericks. Haywood averaged 8.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks during 28 games for the Mavericks.

With Erick Dampier’s(notes) contract not guaranteed for this season, Haywood figures to play an even more prominent role for the Mavericks.

Dallas was aggressive in re-signing Haywood by having coach Rick Carlisle meet with him in Charlotte, N.C., on the first day of free agency. Haywood, 30, was possibly the top center on the market and was also courted by the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Prior to being traded to Dallas, Haywood spent his first 8½ seasons with the Washington Wizards.