Rodman Finally Signs With the Mavericks

Dennis Rodman signed with the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday and immediately made a sacrifice.

He’s not going to the NFL’s Pro Bowl.

Instead of partying in Hawaii, Rodman will be getting into shape after nearly a year’s absence from the NBA. He’ll make his debut at home Wednesday against the Seattle SuperSonics.

“As long as he comes to work and gets the job done, I’m thrilled to death,” said new owner Mark Cuban, who personally pursued Rodman.

The 38-year-old forward has not played since the Lakers cut him after 23 games last April.

Because the Mavericks are over the salary cap, they had to give Rodman a standard contract. He’ll make $12,195 per game, which comes out to about $465,000 for the rest of the season.

Rodman, who had delayed signing to party at the Super Bowl, also will stay in Cuban’s 4,000-square-foot guest house, paying an NBA-enforced $3,000 rent per month.

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Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone would not comment on reports that he was threatening to sit out the All-Star game because of a back and hand injuries, saying only, “Why don’t you ask God?”

Malone, however, reportedly has grumbled about being named a reserve instead of a starter.

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Clyde Drexler, who retired from the Houston Rockets two seasons ago after helping them to an NBA title in 1995, had his No. 22 jersey retired during halftime of Thursday’s Rocket-76er game. . . . Cleveland Cavalier rookie guard Trajan Langdon will be sidelined for the season after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. . . . Frank Layden, the father of New York General Manager Scott Layden, was hired as a consultant to the Knicks.