DALLAS (AP) – Jason Terry really did want to stay with the Dallas Mavericks, even if it meant taking less money.

Terry lasted only about 12 hours on the free-agent market, agreeing Saturday to a six-year deal with Dallas. Agent Dan Fegan declined to give specifics, other than saying “there is a hometown discount.”

“I’m excited,” Terry said, his enthusiasm evident in his voice. “It’s definitely something I wanted to do. It’s just about being part of an organization that cares and a city that cares about the team. I’ve grown to love the fans and they love me.”

The 28-year-old Terry soared to near the top of the free-agent list with his play for Dallas the last two seasons. He averaged 17.1 points in the regular season, then 18.9 points in this year’s playoffs, helping the Mavericks reach the NBA finals. They lost to the Miami Heat in six games, but Terry had 32 points in a Game 1 victory and 35 in a tough overtime loss in Game 5.

With Terry locked up, the Mavericks can move on to their next offseason priorities – contract extensions for Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki.

“Jet wanted to come back and we wanted him back,” team owner Mark Cuban said via e-mail. “Jason was critical to our first ever finals and he wants to help lead us to more. I’m confident we can get Dirk’s extension done and have started the ball rolling with Josh.”

Dallas officials also are working to acquire more parts of their supporting cast. Nothing can be official until July 12.

“Keeping the nucleus intact is important,” said Terry, who is the oldest of the trio but will be only 34 when his deal expires after the 2011-12 season. “Adding a couple of pieces here and there, that’s all we need. Hopefully it’ll happen sooner than later.”

The Terry signing was important first step.

Although both sides said they wanted to strike a deal, the same was said two years ago when Steve Nash hit the market and was quickly wooed away by the Phoenix Suns.

Cuban said earlier this week that circumstances were much different this time, but he also took a different tact. Instead of letting Terry take other offers – as he did with Nash – Cuban moved in quickly.

“Based on his JT’s play in the playoffs, I’d gotten as many calls on him as any free agent I’ve represented in the last 10 years,” Fegan said.

But when the clock struck midnight and free agency began, “the first person to call was Mark,” Fegan said.

That doesn’t meant the numbers clicked right away, especially with the Mavs not offering top dollar. Fegan said other teams kept calling, trying to arrange for sign-and-trade deals, but he said he “basically spent time telling everyone no.”

After beginning his career far removed from the playoffs in Atlanta, Terry has thoroughly enjoyed his two seasons in Dallas. His career especially got a boost when Avery Johnson, a former point guard, replaced Don Nelson as coach in March 2005. He brought out the best in Terry, in part by giving him the freedom to shoot first and be a distributor second.

“I strongly believe in Avery Johnson,” Terry said. “He’s done wonders for my career. I owe a lot of credit to him and his coaching staff.”

This year’s playoff run cemented Terry’s devotion to Dallas.

“Those two months were it for me,” he said. “It’s just something you’ve never experienced before. To see the fans react the way they did, my team accomplish what we did – it was truly great.”

AP-ES-07-01-06 1439EDT