Mavs waive Yuki Togashi and Eric Griffin, roster now 18

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have waived 5'7 Yuki Togashi of Japan and dunking machine Eric Griffin. Yuki Togashi was signed under the pretenses that he would be waived and play for the Mavericks D-league affiliate the Texas Legands in order to further develop him before bringing him into the NBA so this does not come as a surprise. You can read more about it here. Eric Griffin however was signed to a 3 year $150,000 guaranteed contract with the Mavericks and now receives that money for only playing 2 weeks in Preseason. It seemed as if coach Carlyle and the team liked Griffin so hopefully waving him means he too will go to play for the Texas Legands and one day play for the Mavericks. Still I had really hoped to see Eric Griffin in the dunk contest this year but I guess I'll have to wait for that. Griffin and Togashi both starting for the Legends would actually get me to watch some D-league games but until then I guess I'll have to just keep watching this over and over and over again. 

Mavericks sign 5'7 Yuki Togashi of Japan

Today the Dallas Mavericks officially announced the signing of guard Yuki Togashi with the intention of playing him in Dallas' D-league affiliate in order to refine him for the NBA. Per team policy the terms of the deal were not disclosed. The first time I, as well as most people, learned of Togashi was during summer league this year where he impressed fans and scouters alike. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYdPAVkwqDY  While he obviously has to go through a transitional period before he can make his way into the Mavericks rotation moves like that floater around the 0:50 sec mark really shows his fearlessness to attack the bigger defender. 

21 year old Togashi played the last season for the Akita Northern Happinets in the Japan Basketball League and even earned himself all-star game MVP and was named to league's best 5 team. Also in case you didn't catch it Happinets, like happiness but like nets, like buckets, like scoring buckets, Happinets. Japan seems cool.

If Yuki gets to play some NBA ball he would become the shortest player in the league as well as the only Japanese player. These two factors could lead to Yuki being a wise investment not only for winning basketball games but for making money as well. Its widely known that many Asian cultures love basketball and love supporting Asian talent. Jeremy Lin who is on a contract worth more than his skill level would earn him isn't seen as a large financial loss since the team makes A LOT of money from jersey sales and whenever a team with Lin on it shows up you can guarantee an increase in ticket sales for that game due to the influx of Asian fans who attend it. I believe Togashi was signed primarily for his skill but Mark Cuban knows money so I can't say he was singed solely for that reason. Either way Yuki Togashi is fun to watch and I can't wait to see him suit up for Dallas. Mffl.