The Dallas Mavericks settled for Zaza Pachulia after DeAndre Jordan made a 180 degree turn from signing with them and returned to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Mavs traded a second-round pick to the Milwaukee Bucks and take in Pachulia's $5.25 million expiring contract into their salary-cap space.

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The 31-year-old Pachulia gives the Mavs a veteran stopgap at the center. He averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds last season.

Observers note that Pachulia is a rugged rebounder and is willing to give the hard foul, giving some  toughness on any frontcourt he's playing for.

The Bucks were reportedly eager to move Pachulia after getting the services of ex-Detroit Piston Greg Monroe.

The Mavs now have just slightly less than $12 million in salary-cap space with the Pachulia deal.

When Jordan committed to them, the Mavs could had a backup plans to get a center, such as trading for Roy Hibbert, retaining Tyson Chandler or signing Kosta Koufos. 

Jordan'sdecision left the Mavs scrambling in getting a decent personnel in just trying to contend for a playoff spot.

Dallas Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons said he was shocked and felt disrespected when Jordan reneged on his commitment to join the Mavs.

He added that it was unethical for Jordan to do what he did after giving his word, especially to an organization that put in so much effort.

Jordan's decision to ignore Cuban, who traveled to Houston on Wednesday for their meeting, particularly bothered Parsons.

However, Jordan technically didn't break any rules in backing out of his agreement with the Mavericks.

Parson led the team's efforts in recruiting Jordan but it was from Cuban on Monday that he learned that the center might be having second thoughts.

Parson figured that Jordan wasn't ready to assume the role of a franchise player and was scared to take the next step in his career.

While Parson's acknowledged that Jordan will do good with the Clippers, he feels that the latter would be missing out becoming a superstar in Dallas.

The Mavs' tried to convince Jordan that he could a dominant center with the Mavericks instead of being just a third wheel with the Clippers. 

Tags NBA trades, NBA transactions, Zaza Pachulia, deandre jordan, Los Angeles Clippers