Dallas Mavericks to sign Bernard James to 10-day contract, per report

This morning on twitter, ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks are signing center Bernard James as soon as they can:

Mavericks, I'm told, are signing Bernard James to a 10-day contract as soon as they secure his Letter of Clearance from China

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 10, 2015

James has spent this season playing in China, for the Shanghai Sharks, averaging 19 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks per game. With Tyson Chandler potentially missing time with an ankle injury and the rest of the Maverick big men being sub-par rebounders, James would bring a much needed presence to the bench, if only temporarily, while Dallas waits on a decision from Jermaine O'Neal.

In his two seasons in Dallas, the 6'10", 240 pound James played 76 game, while averaging 2 points and 2 rebounds in just under 8 minutes per game. His rookie year seemed promising, with James starting 11 games during a tumultuous 2012-2013 campaign. His sophomore season saw James fall behind veterans Sam Dalembert, DeJuan Blair, and Brandan Wright in the rotation. James was cut in the preseason after a strong showing from veteran Charlie Villanueva.