DALLAS -- When free agent-to-be Raef LaFrentz was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in February, he knew right away he wanted to stay. On Tuesday, he got his wish.

	LaFrentz

''This is the place to be,'' LaFrentz said. ''This is the team of the future. Last year we fell short of our long-term goal. But we're young and going to have a large window. I feel good to be a part of it.''

LaFrentz was so serious about staying he didn't even talk to another team before signing a maximum-length deal of seven years. And he accepted what Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said was ''a lot less'' than the $84 million maximum contract.

Then what was the holdup that took two weeks past the opening of the signing period for the deal to be finalized? A vacation by LaFrentz's agent.

''He probably could've gotten paid more other places, but he wanted to be here,'' Cuban said. ''That made it simple.''

Plenty of teams were after LaFrentz in February, when the Denver Nuggets were shopping him. He and Nick Van Exel wound up in Dallas, where they helped lead the Mavericks to a franchise-record 57 victories only to be ousted in the second-round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Because of the previous interest in LaFrentz, Cuban thought some team might step up with a bigger offer. LaFrentz, however, had been telling his agent all spring that he wanted to remain playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash.

''I knew that coming here I'd be able to play in the playoffs, be on a great team and have the chance to play for something,'' he said.

The 6-foot-11, 265-pound LaFrentz was originally acquired to play the low post as a defender and shot-blocker, then to use his outside touch to pull opposing centers out to the 3-point line, thus clearing the lane. But LaFrentz often got into foul trouble and struggled with his shooting.

Part of his problem was figuring out when it was his turn to shoot in one of the league's highest-scoring offenses. It also was the first time he wasn't the only tall guy who could shoot from long range; Nowitzki and Wang Zhizhi did that, too.

''I anticipate being much more comfortable,'' he said. ''I can't wait for the opportunity to start from Day 1.''

In 27 regular-season games with Dallas, LaFrentz averaged 10.8 points, down from 14.9 in 51 games with the Nuggets, while his rebound average of 7.4 was the same in both places. For his four-year career, LaFrentz averages 13 points and 7.7 rebounds.

''When you've got a guy who can shoot 3s, can post up, block shots and run the floor, that's something you like,'' Cuban said. ''Having Raef is a major step to us getting the jewelry.''

LaFrentz's role could be different this season. Coach Don Nelson has talked about using him more at power forward than center, forcing Shawn Bradley and Evan Eschmeyer to handle center duties while Nowitzki moves to small forward.

That plan would be scuttled, though, if Dallas can sign Rashard Lewis to play small forward. Under that scenario, LaFrentz would have to move back to center, unless the Mavericks make yet another move.

''My entire career, so many people have made a big deal about me playing out of position,'' he said. ''I can play 5, I can play 4, I can play 3 -- but I don't think I could play the point very well.''

Keeping LaFrentz through 2008-2009 adds him to a list of players sticking around. Nowitzki and Finley are signed through 2007-08. Nash and Van Exel are signed through 2005-06.

''Dirk just turned 24 this week and Raef is 26 -- and they say big guys take longer to get to the top of their game,'' Cuban said, smiling. ''That's a great foundation.''