National Basketball Association

Mavs add Barnes, with lighthearted poke at last year's drama

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

DALLAS (AP) The Mavericks have signed free agent forward Harrison Barnes to a four-year, $94 million maximum contract.

Dallas owner Mark Cuban tweeted a picture shortly after the NBA's moratorium ended at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Thursday showing the former Golden State player playfully handcuffed to president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson, with both smiling.

It was a lighthearted reference to the jolting loss of DeAndre Jordan in free agency last year, when the center backed out of an agreement with Dallas and returned to the Los Angeles Clippers. Coach Rick Carlisle and assistant vice president Michael Finley, a former Maverick, also were pictured.

Barnes became an unrestricted free agent when the Warriors renounced his rights to clear salary cap space after getting a commitment from Kevin Durant.