DALLAS -- Center Eddy Curry went from the waiver wire to the Dallas Mavericks' starting lineup, at least for the preseason finale.

With the Mavs' frontcourt depleted by injuries, Curry started Friday night against the Charlotte Bobcats, a day after Dallas claimed the veteran big man off waivers.

Curry's roster spot isn't guaranteed, but there's a chance he also could start in Tuesday night's regular-season opener against Dwight Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers.

"That's a very real possibility," said Curry, who was waived Tuesday by the San Antonio Spurs. "I'm going to do everything I can to make it happen."

Centers Chris Kaman (strained right calf) and Brandan Wright (ankle) did not play against the Bobcats.

Kaman's status for the season opener is questionable because of an injury that has sidelined him since last week, and the Mavs know they'll be without 7-foot power forward Dirk Nowitzki for at least the first two weeks of the season as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Curry, 29, the fourth overall pick of the 2001 draft, has career averages of 13.0 points and 5.2 rebounds. However, he's played in only 24 games the past four seasons as weight problems and other off-court issues have derailed his career.

The 7-foot Curry, who is listed at 295 pounds, said he wasn't sure what he weighed after the Mavs' morning shootaround. Curry, who appeared to be relatively slender, averaged 8.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game for the Spurs this preseason.

"He's in good shape. He's healthy," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's always been a force around the basket when he's healthy, and he's always been a guy that's got very soft hands, very skilled. Health issues have been an obstacle, but he's still really young."

The Mavs also have agreed to sign swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts and center/forward Melvin Ely to non-guaranteed contracts.