Johnson, Mavericks Agree to a Four-Year Deal

Only weeks after taking over as coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Avery Johnson agreed Tuesday to a four-year contract extension that should be finalized by the end of the week.

The deal should end speculation of more changes -- that team owner Mark Cuban will hire someone else or Johnson will use his lack of a contract to seek another job or as leverage to get a higher salary.

Johnson, who replaced Don Nelson on March 19, is expected to receive the average salary for a coach, roughly $2.5 million a season. He has worked under the $1.1-million contract he signed last summer to return to Dallas as a player-coach.

“I think more people worried about it than I did,� said Johnson of the speculation. “Mark is a man of his word, and his word is as good as gold. Until I see anything different, that’s the route I’m going to continue to go down.�

Cuban did not respond to an e-mail from Associated Press.

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Tests on Seattle SuperSonic All-Star forward Rashard Lewis’ right foot showed no serious structural or ligament damage, and confirmed a deep bone bruise diagnosed last week.

General Manager Rick Sund said it still wasn’t certain when Lewis can rejoin the team, but the 6-foot-10 swingman is expected to be available for the playoffs.

“Everything’s cool,� Sund said. “Rashard will sit out a few more days to heal, then we’ll reevaluate it this weekend. We’ll know more after that.�

Lewis was hurt in a March 27 loss to Washington.

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Former All-Star forward Glenn Robinson signed a free-agent contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Robinson, who hasn’t played in more than a year because of injuries, was cut by New Orleans in March. The Hornets acquired him in a late February trade with Philadelphia.

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Chicago Bull rookie forward Luol Deng was put on the injured list because of a torn ligament in his right wrist that will require surgery and end his season.

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New Jersey Net guard Jacque Vaughn had season-ending surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot. Vaughn was hurt in Saturday’s loss to Orlando.