Dwight Howard is reportedly interested in signing with the Rockets and Mavericks this offseason. (Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Soon-to-be free-agent center Dwight Howard will give “strong consideration” to signing with the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, CBS Sports’ Ken Berger reported on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping for a quick decision from Howard on whether he will re-sign with the team, but it appears likely that the process will be drawn out.

According to Berger, Howard is most intrigued by the Rockets, who would need to make a few moves to be able to sign Howard. Berger reported that Howard likes the Rockets’ roster, which includes a young star in James Harden and a complementary, 26-year-old 7-footer in Omer Asik.

Before he was traded to the Lakers last offseason, the Rockets were involved in discussions to acquire Howard from the Orlando Magic.

The Mavericks would also have to make a few minor moves to be able to get under the salary cap and sign Howard.

The one advantage the Lakers have in upcoming negotiations with Howard is the ability to offer him more money to stay in Los Angeles. Under the collective bargaining agreement, Howard can sign a five-year, $118 million contract to stay with the Lakers, or a four-year, $87.6 million deal with another team. The Lakers, however, will be hamstrung in any attempt to improve their roster if they re-sign Howard.

After the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, Howard didn’t give any indication of whether he was planning to re-sign with the team.

“For me, I’m going to do what’s best for myself, what’s going to make me happy,” Howard said. “At the end of the day, I can’t control who likes me and who dislikes me but I have the right to be happy. That’s what I’m going to do. That’s the biggest thing right there.”

Mavs guard O.J. Mayo has decided not to take the $4.2 million option in his contract and will become a free agent. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Getty Images)

Mavs shooting guard O.J. Mayo plans to decline the $4.2 million option for the second season of his contract and will become a free agent this summer, reports ESPN Dallas’ Tim MacMahon. Mayo said he hopes to be able to agree on a long-term deal.

From the ESPN Dallas report:

“Getting something long term, locking something in is what I think is best for me,” Mayo said Thursday after his exit interview with coach Rick Carlisle and president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson.

“I’m sure new teams have popped up on the list,” Mayo said. “I need to talk to my agent (Rob Pelinka) and see what we can work out.”

Mayo, 25, was taken as the third overall pick in the 2008 draft by the Timberwolves. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game this season.

The Mavs are out of the postseason, and Dirk Nowitzki will likely have a precautionary MRI on his knee to ”make sure nothing is going to act up next year.” Nowitzki had knee surgery that kept him out of action earlier in the season. He’s looking to make sure there’s no repeat of that in the 2013-2014 season.

He’s missed only two games since his season debut in December, a good sign for next season. Nowitzki recently reached the 25,000th point milestone, becoming the 17th player in NBA history to do so.

There’s no apparent knee trouble on the horizon for Nowitzki, who isn’t expected to be rested in the final week of the season.

Still, a precautionary MRI is a good idea for Nowitzki and the Mavs, who are looking to overhaul their roster at the end of this season. Only  Dirk, Vince Carter, Jared Cunningham and Jae Crowder have guaranteed contracts, though Shawn Marion likely won’t opt out of his $9.3 million option.

Dirk Nowitzki: "We’re probably going to get an MRI on my left knee and make sure nothing is going to act up next year when I come back."—
Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) April 15, 2013

Dallas Mavericks guard Chris Wright will be battling for playing time after he signed a 10-day contract with the team on Wednesday.

But his biggest battle is with his health, as Wright is the first-known NBA player to say he has multiple sclerosis.

He is expected to join the team in San Antonio when the team plays there Thursday night.  He was diagnosed while playing the Turkish Basketball League last season and says he was barely able to walk. Wright bounced back strong and averaged 15.5 points, 7.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Iowa Energy this season earning a D-League All-Star bid.

Common symptoms of MS include fatigue, numbness, loss of balance, poor coordination, blurred vision and problems with memory and focus, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which estimates that more than 2.1 million people are affected by the disease.

“That’s definitely one of the things I pride myself on, being the face of it and being an inspiration and motivation for people to keep fighting,” Wright told ESPN.com. “I made history with this. ”There’s not a cure for MS. “Can there be a relapse? Absolutely. But with the way I’ve been progressing and the way my body has been — it helps that I’m an athlete as well — it reduces the risk of that happening again. I just go from there and see what happens.”

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki wants to play beyond 2014. (Cameron Browne/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki says he plans on playing even after his contract expires next year.

Nowitzki, 34, missed the season’s first 27 games due to a knee injury and says he has been “brutal”, only averaging 16.0 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 43.5 percent from the floor this season.

“When my [current] contract’s up, I’m 36 and I’ll definitely sign a couple more years. It’s still fun, but I don’t know if I’ll play until 40. But when I’m 36, definitely sign one more deal, maybe two or three years,” Nowitzki said to ESPN.com. “Obviously, if you’re tall and you can shoot like Sam Perkins and those guys, they can play until the end of their 30s if you’re out there and you’re spreading the floor. Obviously, in five, six years, if I make it that long, I’m not going to like take every shot in the fourth quarter, but I’m going to be out there spacing the floor and be smart if I make it that long.”

Nowitzki had a season-high 30 points and 13 rebounds in Sunday’s 103-99 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He is due $22.7 million in the final season of a four-year, $80 million deal that expires next summer.

Mavericks center Chris Kaman must pass a concussion test to start playing again. (Fernando Medina/National Basketball)

Dallas Mavericks center Chris Kaman had plenty of things to say about the NBA’s mandate that players that are concussed must pass a series of tests in order to be cleared to play.

Kaman hit his head on the floor during a practice on Jan. 28. Since then his playing time has been cut significantly, playing a total of 22 minutes in the Mavericks past two games.

Kaman, who is averaging 12.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game this season, says he will do the test to get back on the floor.

“I got to take it tomorrow,” Kaman said to ESPN.com. “It’s the stupidest test ever. For so many years in the NBA, they never had to do that stuff, and now they come up with all that concussion protocol crap. It’s not cool, but it is cool, I guess. It keeps people safe. I just try to do the right things and wait until I can pass the test.”

The NBA put in the protocol for concussion test in December 2011, citing player safety. Any player diagnosed with a concussion will have to complete a series of steps to confirm that he is healthy enough to play.

Provided he has no setbacks at today’s shootaround, Dirk Nowitzki plans to play tonight. (Cameron Browne/Getty Images)

After missing two games with a groin injury, Dirk Nowitzki said he will participate in the morning shootaround, and provided he has no setbacks, he will play Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I feel OK,” Nowitzki said after Sunday’s workout in Phoenix. “I went through most of the stuff, a little running, a little shooting. It was pulling a little bit, but as long as it doesn’t grab on me and completely tighten up, it’s fine. Obviously, the meds had time to kick in over the weekend.”

Nowitzski missed a Thursday night game against Golden State and a Friday night game against the Suns. The injury in his right adductor seemingly came out of nowhere, as Nowitzski was coming off a season-high 26 points last Tuesday against Portland.

The NBA has fined Rick Carlisle $25,000 for his “public criticism of officiating” after the Mav’s 100-97 loss against the Warriors on Thursday.

After receiving the fine, Carlisle retracted his comments.

“I spoke to the NBA office and agreed that I should be fined for my comments following the Golden State game. In this league we all have challenging jobs, and the job of the officials is one of the toughest. Those postgame remarks about the officiating were not appropriate, and I accept the fine.”

The series of comments Carlisle made against the officials centered around a block by Andrew Bogut on Brandan Wright’s attempted layup, which would have tied the game. The NBA also admitted a blown charge call against O.J. Mayo during the Mavericks’ loss in Portland on Tuesday.

Carlisle cited poor officiating as a contribution to the team’s loss two games in a row, saying Dallas had been “unlucky” or “screwed.”

“We put ourselves in position,” Carlisle said. “I don’t know what you want to call it at the end. Unlucky? Whatever you want to call it. Screwed? It happened.”

“I’m disappointed and I’m very concerned,” Carlisle said Thursday. “Concerned about what’s happening at the end of games with the officials. I can only be honest.”

Last year, Carlisle and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban were fined $110,000 for similar reasons.

NBA fines Mavs coach Rick Carlisle $25K for "public criticism of officiating" following Dallas' 100-97 loss to Warriors on Thursday.—
Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) February 02, 2013

Mavericks center Chris Kaman is out indefinitely. (Fernando Medina/National Basketball)

Dallas Mavericks center Chris Kaman is out indefinitely after suffering a concussion during Monday’s practice, reports the Star-Telegram‘s Dwain Price.

Kaman is suffering from headaches and dizziness, Price wrote. The center described how the injury occurred:

“I just got undercut in practice and landed on my head,” Kaman said. “It was a weird play. (Jae) Crowder drove down the middle, Elton (Brand) tried to take a charge, and Elton slid to his left and took my leg out.

“I tried to block it and I was three feet in the air on my side and didn’t know where to go. Obviously it all happened real fast.”

The 30-year-old Kaman has started 33 games for Dallas this season, his first with the franchise. He is averaging 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. The Mavericks are 19-26 this season.

Allen Iverson has turned down an offer from the Mavs’ D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends, reports ESPN Dallas. Iverson made the announcement via Twitter. The Legends had been pursuing Iverson all season and used their history of helping former NBA players make comebacks to try to convince him.

The Legends, now in their third season, have employed 16 former NBA first-round picks since the team’s inception and previously helped big men Sean Williams and Dan Gadzuric, swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts and veteran guard Antonio Daniels make it back to the NBA.

The Legends, who are co-owned by the Mavs’ president of basketball operations, Donnie Nelson, recently signed NBA veterans Delonte West and Rashad McCants.

Iverson, 37, last played in the NBA in 2009-10; he also declined deals in China. The Legends signed another former NBA 37-year-old, Mike James, earlier this month which eventually led to a 10-day call-up to the Mavs and then a guaranteed contract. Thus far, Iverson has been unwilling to consider playing anywhere but the NBA.

I thank Donnie and Dallas for the consideration and while I think the D-League is a great opportunity, it is not the route for me.—
Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 29, 2013

I realize my actions contributed to my early departure from the NBA, should God provide me another opportunity I will give it my all—
Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 29, 2013

My dream has always been to complete my legacy in the NBA—
Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 29, 2013

To my fans, I love yall! Not a day goes by that I am not asked when am I coming back, we all must accept my return is not up to just me.—
Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 29, 2013

Delonte West has signed with the D-League Texas Legends. (Glenn James, Getty Images)

Delonte West has returned to the game of basketball. The D-League Texas Legends announced Friday that they have acquired West, who will join the team sometime in the next few days.

The acquisition represents a return of sorts for West, who was on the Dallas Mavericks’ roster at the start of the season but was suspended multiple times for locker room clashes after losses. Eventually the Mavericks waived West. Based in Frisco, Texas, the Legends are the Mavericks’ D-League affiliate, opening the door to a possible return for West in Mavericks colors.

West, 28, has played eight years in the NBA for the Mavericks, Celtics, Cavaliers ,and Supersonics. He was a key part of the LeBron James-era Cavaliers teams and has contributed to a playoff team every year since 2007.

Mavericks forward Shawn Marion was fined $25,000 for criticizing the officials after a loss to the Thunder. (Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

The NBA fined Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion $25,000 for criticizing the league’s officiating after the team lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, the league announced Saturday.

Marion commented about the foul calls after the Mavericks lost 117-114 in overtime to the Thunder on Friday night. Thunder forward Kevin Durant scored a career-high 52 points and went to the free-throw line 21 times in the victory. Durant hit all 21 of his attempts.

The Thunder had 36 free-throw attempts to the Mavericks’ 30.

“It’s hard to beat anybody when you’re playing five on eight,” Marion said. “That’s nuts. Some of them were fouls. Some of them were questionable. But it is what it is.”

Marion scored eight points and had seven rebounds in the loss and is averaging 10.4 poings and 8.4 rebounds for the Mavericks this season.

The NBA has fined Dallas' Shawn Marion $25,000for criticizing the league's officiating.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 20, 2013

The NBA has fined Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $50,000 for his asking followers for help fixing the league’s officiating on Twitter on Saturday, according to Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press. An NBA official confirmed the fine to The Dallas Morning News, but the league did not announce the fine.

Cuban questioned the officiating in the Mavericks’ Saturday overtime loss to New Orleans and Wednesday’s overtime loss to Miami in which officials did not review videotape of a late fourth-quarter play in which Dwyane Wade appeared to knock the ball out of bounds.

Cuban’s tweet appeared about 30 minutes after the loss to the Hornets.

Im sorry NBA fans. Ive tried for 13 yrs to fix the officiating in this league and I have failed miserably. Any Suggestions ? I need help—
Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 06, 2013

It’s been estimated that Cuban has been fined between $1 million and $2 million in his 13 seasons as the Mavericks owner, but that figure has not been confirmed because the NBA does not always release news of fines.

The NBA fined Mark Cuban $50,000 for his comments on Twitter on Saturday, when he asked for help fixing the officiating.—
Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) January 08, 2013

After coming off the bench in his first six games, Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki will make his first start of the season on Saturday. (D. Clarke Evans/NBA/Getty Images

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said Saturday that forward Dirk Nowitzki will make his first start of the season against the New Orleans Hornets, reports ESPN.com.

Nowitzki, an 11-time All-Star, missed the first 27 games of the season after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in the preseason. In his first six appearances of the season, Nowitzki came off the bench. Dallas is 13-20, fourth in the Southwest Division.

“I felt like the best I’ve felt out there,” Nowitzki said Friday. “I don’t think the wind is a big deal or wasn’t the last couple of games. It’s more the legs and the explosiveness and the push-off and switching directions. So that was the major problem I thought the last ten days I’ve been back, or whatever. That was the best I’ve felt, in Miami. So I’ve got to keep on working, hopefully get 100 percent here sometime soon.”

Nowitzki scored a season-high 19 points in 29 minutes in an 119-110 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. He is averaging 10 points and 4.3 rebounds this season.

Rick Carlisle is threatening players with suspensions. (Elsa/Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks may have had a tough schedule so far as the team continues to struggle even since Dirk Nowitzki returned a week ago, but head coach Rick Carlisle said it’s no excuse for a lackluster effort and he’s now threatening players with suspensions if things don’t improve.

The team, currently 12-19, is in the middle of a six game losing streak and Carlisle said he’s had to scream in the faces of some players just to get his points across in practices and shootarounds. Even though team owner Mark Cuban may not agree, Carlisle told Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News after the Mavs’ sixth straight loss on Sunday that he would like to see suspensions for some players because it’s an “unprecedented” stretch of losses for the team:

“It’s not what this organization has been about since Mark [Cuban] bought the team. This is a stretch that’s unprecedented, really. [T]he last week, I’ve had to literally scream in the face of two guys in practices and shootarounds to get the point across. And I will continue to do that. If I have to start suspending guys for not doing things they’re supposed to be doing on the court, I’ll do it. And Mark and I will get into it about that. But somehow, things have got to change and it can’t just be about that it’s a tough schedule. It just can’t.”

In a report from Jan Hubbard of ESPNDallas.com, Carlisle also told reporters that Nowitzki, who had been out all season because of knee issues, shouldn’t be judged until at least mid January. During the preseason, Delonte West, who was then with the Mavs, was suspended twice in 10 days for conduct detrimental to the team, so these kinds of suspensions in Dallas wouldn’t be unprecedented. West was eventually released before the regular season began and is now a free agent.

Injured guard Derek Fisher asked the Mavericks to release him so he could spend more time with his family. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

After playing just nine games this season, 38-year-old point guard Derek Fisher will be waived by the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein. Fisher asked the team for the release, Stein is reporting.

Fisher, a 16-year veteran with his fifth NBA team, is averaging 8.6 points and 3.6 assists and shooting 43.5 percent from three. He has missed Dallas’ last two games with a strained patellar tendon in his right knee, which he said will require a two-week recovery.

The Thunder, Nets, Bulls and Cavaliers were also reportedly interested in Fisher before he signed with the Mavs on Nov. 29. His release will free up a spot for touted D-League prospect Chris Douglas-Roberts.

The move has actually been in the works for a few days, sources said, but the Mavericks asked Fisher to stay with the team until another point guard could be secured. Fisher consented to stay on and played Tuesday night against Philadelphia, only to suffer a strained patellar tendon in his right knee early in the Mavs’ home win.

The Mavericks, sources said, will be calling up Chris Douglas-Roberts from the Frisco-based Texas Legends to replace Fisher. Widely rated as the top current NBA prospect in the D-League, Douglas-Roberts is scheduled to play for the Legends in Saturday night’s home game against Iowa before joining the Mavericks on Sunday in San Antonio.

In a statement, Fisher said that he made the decision following his injury so that he could spend time with his family.

With this news and the difficulty I have been having being away from my family, I have asked the organization to waive me so I can return home.

“(Mavericks owner) Mark Cuban has been extremely supportive and has granted me this request. I cannot say enough good things about this organization. From Mark, to Coach (Rick) Carlisle, to the players on the Mavericks’ team, I sincerely thank them for the opportunity.

“I have made decisions in the past, leaving money and opportunity on the table, and I will need to do that again. My family is my priority and that is where I choose to be. I won’t close the possibility that I will play again, however for now my family and being close to them remains the priority.”

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki had a full contact practice for the first time this season. (David Sherman/NBA/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki had a full-contact practice for the first time all season on Wednesday in hopes of making a return to the lineup soon, the team announced.

Nowitzki has not played this season due to swelling in his right knee, which was drained twice in October.  There is no timetable for his return although Nowitzki said earlier this season that he would not commit to a possible mid-December return.  Earlier, this week when asked if his knee was improving and when he would return to the lineup, he said, “I’m not close.” The Mavericks are 12-13 this season and 5-5 in their last 10 games.

Nowitzki, a 15-year veteran and 11-time All-Star, averaged 21.6 points a game last year. That was his lowest scoring average in  12 seasons.

“@tomhaberstroh: Mavs announce Nowitzki returned to full-contact practice today. Heat-Mavs tomorrow in Dallas…”<Dirk still listed as out.—
Jeff Caplan (@Caplan_NBA) December 19, 2012

A war of words between Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Dallas Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo reached a new low today. The NBA issued a one-game suspension to Cousins for striking Mayo “in the groin area” during the Kings’ 23-point loss to the Mavs on Monday night, according to a tweet Wednesday evening from Ian Begley of ESPN.

Cousins, who admitted earlier this month that he’s been “terrible” this season and doesn’t have “any confidence,” had been exchanging words with Mayo through the media throughout this week. Mayo had said that Cousins has “mental issues,” is “immature” and questioned his ability to become a franchise player for Sacramento. Cousins responded, saying to The Sacramento Bee that Mayo doesn’t have a great reputation and shouldn’t be making comments about being a franchise player since he isn’t one with the Mavericks and wasn’t one with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Cousins also said he didn’t hit Mayo on purpose:

“In slow motion, it looks like I did it on purpose. But you look in real speed, you see what happened. Of course it’s gonna get thrown out there that I did it on purpose.”

The suspension will take effect for tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Footage of the play that resulted in Cousins’ suspension can be seen below.

NBA suspends Demarcus Cousins one game without pay for striking O.J. Mayo "in the groin area."—
Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 12, 2012

Dirk Nowitzki, who has yet to return to the Mavs after arthroscopic knee surgery in October, says he will not play in EuroBasket 2013. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Mavs power forward Dirk Nowitzki confirmed that he will not participate in EuroBasket 2013, the European basketball championship in Slovenia, according to  NBC Sports. Nowitzki’s interview with a German sports site was translated by Sportando:

The German forward did not play last summer to with German National Team. Nowitzki, who is still out after the knee surgery, thinks that Mark Cuban won’t allow him to play [in] EuroBasket.

“It will be very hard for me to be in Slovenia” said Nowitzki to Sport1.de. “Right now, I look forward to join my Mavericks teammates on the court and play a game.”

The tournament will take place next September. Nowitzki underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in October. At the time, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle estimated the 14-year veteran would miss six weeks. No specific return date has been set, but the Dallas Morning News reports that Nowitzki may begin taking part in on-court activities soon.

Derek Fisher will sign for the Mavericks on Thursday, according to head coach Rick Carlisle. (Andrew J. Bernstein, Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks will get some help at point guard soon, as head coach Rick Carlisle announced that the team will sign veteran Derek Fisher on Thursday, according to multiple reports on Twitter.

Fisher had reportedly been on the hunt for a new team after helping the Oklahome City Thunder to the NBA Finals last year, but only wanted to sign with a team he felt could contend for an NBA title. The Mavericks failed to lure hometown hero Deron Williams away from the Nets over the summer while also losing veteran Jason Kidd to the New York Knicks. The team currently has just one true point guard (Darren Collison) on its roster.

The signing will see Fisher take part in his 16th season as a pro, a career that has seen him win five NBA championships.

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle just announced team has signed Derek Fisher.—
K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 29, 2012

Injured Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki said Tuesday that he still has to complete three to four more weeks of rehab on his surgically repaired right knee before he can return to the Mavs’ lineup.

At a news conference this afternoon, the forward said that he can resume basketball activities in two weeks and then return to regular-season action one to two weeks later.

The update came exactly one month after Nowitzki underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee. He was expected to miss six weeks, but has only just begun increasing his work load, according to NBA.com’s Jeff Caplan:

Dirk increased work load yesterday, elliptical and leg press. Says despite urge can't rush coming back.—
Jeff Caplan (@Caplan_NBA) November 20, 2012

The knee started bothering Nowitzki during last year’s training camp, according to ESPN Dallas. The 11-time All-Star struggled with his play and conditioning last season, especially in the opening weeks following the lockout, as he finished with his lowest per-game point and rebound averages since his second year in the league.

After a 4-1 start, Dallas is 6-6 this season. If Nowitzki returns in mid-December as expected, he will have missed an addition 10 to 12 games.

It looks like the Dallas Mavericks will be getting small forward Shawn Marion back on Friday night. After missing 11 days from an MCL injury, reports are surfacing that he will return to play against the Indiana Pacers.

Word emanating from Indy is good news for the Mavs: @matrix31 will play.

—
Jeff Caplan (@Caplan_NBA) November 16, 2012

The Mavs need Marion to fill in the gaps both offensively and defensively. With Dirk Nowitzki still recovering from an Oct. 19 surgery on his right knee, the Mavs will rely on Marion to lead the team Friday night. Marion has only played 4 games this season and still managed to lead the team in rebounds.

Dirk Nowitzki said his knee surgery rehab is taking longer than expected. {Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

When Dirk Nowitzki had arthroscopic knee surgery in October, the initial timetable for his return to “basketball activities” was six weeks. Now, less than a month into his rehab, the Dallas Mavericks’ franchise player said that his recovery is not on schedule and that it will be longer than expected until he is seen playing basketball again, according to Jeff Caplan of NBA.com:

“At this point, I’ve got stay patient and do what the doctors and trainers tell me; just keep rehabbing and see how long it is. When I originally heard three-to-six weeks, in my mind I’m thinking ‘in two weeks I’m back.’ But unfortunately, this is not how it happens. My first knee surgery of my career and unfortunately this stuff takes longer than we expected.”

Nowitzki had been weighing his options throughout the preseason and ultimately decided to go forward with the arthroscopic surgery after missing the first three preseason games. He had his knee drained before the season began,  hoping it would alleviate some of the pain, but clearly it couldn’t have been too effective.

Given this most recent news and the likelihood that he won’t be back at practice until December, Nowitzki should be looked at as doubtful to play in a regular season game before 2013. According to Caplan, he recently began light running in the pool. Nowitzki said he suspects his knee became agitated at the start of last season, which came to a rather abrupt beginning following the lock-out.

The Mavs are currently 4-4 and fourth in the Southwest Division without him.

Shawn Marion injured his MCL against the Trail Blazers. (Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Mavericks announced that forward Shawn Marion will miss at least three games with a sprain to his left medial collateral ligament (MCL). Marion will not make the road trip to New York and Charlotte.

Marion, 34, was injured while taking a shot in the third quarter of Monday night’s 114-91 win over the Trail Blazers.

Marion started his third season with the Mavericks as the only holdover other than Dirk Nowitzki from the team’s 2010-11 NBA Championship. Nowitzki, who underwent knee surgery in the preseason, is expected to miss the first month of the season.

Marion was averaging 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 51.9% (14-27 FGs) from the field, while averaging 27 minutes per game. The Mavericks will likely use veteran Vince Carter and rookie Jae Crowder to offset Marion’s absence.

The Mavericks are set to waive center Eddy Curry. (Noah Graham/Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks are set to waive center Eddy Curry to make room for the recently signed Troy Murphy, reports ESPN.com.

The Mavericks claimed Curry off waivers the day before the preseason finale. He had  seven points and four rebounds in 17 minutes in the season opening win against the Los Angeles Lakers and played eight minutes, scoring two points in the Mavericks 113-94 loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

Murphy, a 12-year veteran, played 59 games for the Lakers last season averaging 3.2 points. Murphy has career averages of 10.9 points and 7.9 rebounds.

The Mavericks are still without All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who is battling a knee injury and Chris Kaman, who is almost ready to come back from a calf injury.

Free-agent forward Troy Murphy has signed with the Dallas Mavericks, Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday evening via Twitter.

Free agent forward Troy Murphy has signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, league source tells Y! Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) November 1, 2012

Murphy played last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 16.2 minutes. In his exit interview last season, he told reporters that he wasn’t sure what the future had in store.

“Unfortunately, it ended sooner than we had expected,” Murphy said back in May. “I’m going to take some time off and collect my thoughts and see what the future has in store.”

The 32-year-old Murphy could bolster a frontcourt backup rotation that is currently missing star Dirk Nowitzki, who could be out for about five more weeks.

The Mavericks cut guard Delonte West on Monday. West had been suspended twice this preseason because of his behavior. (Glenn James/NBA/Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks waived troubled guard Delonte West on Monday, reports the Dallas Morning News.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said before the team’s final preseason game that no decision had been made about West being cut because he was suspended without pay for being a bad influence.

The Mavericks roster now stands at 15. Monday is the roster deadline that each team must get to before the season starts.

West was suspended twice in the last two weeks and the Mavericks were trying to figure out the best way to finalize their separation from the veteran guard, who could not steer clear of controversy during his time with the Mavericks.

West signed with the Mavericks in 2011 and averaged 9.6 points per game last season. He re-signed with the team in July.

Mark Cuban hasn’t closed the door on Delonte West playing for the Mavericks. (Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told the media that there’s still a chance Delonte West could return to the team.

“No decisions have been made one way or another; otherwise we would have made it,” Cuban said, adding, “It’s just a process that’s pretty much down to me making a decision.”

The Mavericks reportedly were ready to waive West, who has been suspended twice in the last two weeks for conduct detrimental to the team.

Cuban said he believes in giving second-chances, pointing out, “Do you not remember last year?” Obviously referring to Lamar Odom, Cuban added, “Let’s just say we won’t give as many chances as we gave people last year.”

Mavericks management reportedly was concerned about West’s influence on the young players on the roster, the source told ESPN Dallas.

There was a strong feeling that West could not contain his frustration over being signed to a one-year, veteran-minimum contract for the second consecutive season and being part of a logjam among reserve guards.

The Mavericks intend to waive guard Delonte West after his second suspension in 10 days. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Mavericks plan to waive backup guard Delonte West in order to free up a roster spot and put in a waiver claim on center Eddy Curry, a source told Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.

The team indefinitely suspended West for “conduct detrimental to the team” Thursday morning. He was previously suspended on Oct. 16 following a locker room outburst on Oct. 16.

West’s Twitter account claimed the latest incident was “no bi-polar trip.”

The Mavericks can wait until the Monday 15-man roster deadline to waive West and possibly add Curry, who was waived by the Spurs on Tuesday.

The Mavs suspended guard Delonte West for the second time in 10 days, according to a report from the Dallas Morning News:

“We have suspended Delonte for conduct detrimental to the team,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “The suspension is effective immediately and no other statements will be issued.”

West was also suspended for “conduct detrimental to the team” on Oct. 16, supposedly in part because of a locker room outburst after the team’s 123-104 preseason win over the Rockets. After that incident, West tweeted: “Sorry moma…” and “I showed off on your birthday again…” (The tweets were later deleted.) The suspension lasted less than a day and West was back in the lineup the next day against the Suns.

West, who signed with Dallas as a free agent last December, has a history of disciplinary incidents and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The disorder played a role in West’s arrest on weapons charges in Sept. 2009: West was pulled over while driving a three-wheel motorcycle in Maryland and sentenced to house arrest and later suspended by the NBA for 10 games.

After the announcement of his most recent suspension, West tweeted:

That my name showin up in any fashion in a negative light is the worst thing that can happen.everything Ived worked towards out d window—
Delonte West (@CharleeRedz13) October 25, 2012

I love the city of Dallas..I love playin in the NBA…no I'm not off my meds…no I ain't on no bipolar trip…this real people lives..—
Delonte West (@CharleeRedz13) October 25, 2012

West, 29, averaged 9.6 points, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game with the Mavs last season.

Dirk Nowitzki will miss six weeks after undergoing knee surgery. (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks will begin their season without the cornerstone of their franchise. The team announced today that power forward Dirk Nowitzki has had arthroscopic surgery on his knee, and will not be able to resume on-court activities for six weeks.

The surgery was required to treat the same knee ailment that limited Nowitzki somewhat throughout last year. The Mavericks star has missed the last three preseason games in addition to having his knee drained. Team owner Mark Cuban indicated earlier this week that Nowitzki would be fine and might play through the injury, but it now looks like the Mavericks will start their season without the 11-time All-Star.

Delonte West has been suspended by the Mavs. (Odd Andersen/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks guard Delonte West has been suspended indefinitely for “conduct detrimental to the team,” according to a report from ESPNDallas.com:

West’s suspension stems at least in part from an outburst in the locker room after the Mavs’ 123-104 preseason win Monday over the Houston Rockets. He had 2 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound in 16 minutes during the win.

According to the report, head coach Rick Carlisle would not provide a timetable for West’s return. The combo guard, entering his second season with the Mavs, was diagnosed earlier in his career with bi-polar disorder. He was arrested on weapons charges in Sept. 2009 and was subsequently ordered to eight months house arrest and was suspended by the NBA for 10 games.

Last season for the Mavs, the eight-year veteran averaged 9.6 points and 3.2 assists.

Dirk Nowitzki may undergo knee surgery. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki is giving his knee a rest but said something will have to be done if it’s not better in a week, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News:

“We’ll see how it responds,” he said. “But the longer we wait, obviously the worse it is. If we have to do something, it’d be better to do it quick.

The arthroscopic surgery that he’d need to alleviate inflammation in his knee is a procedure that’s relatively minor, according to Sefko, and would require only a few weeks rest. If Nowitzki does go through with the surgery to clean out his knee, he would likely miss the first few games of the regular season.

Because of the pain, Nowitzki had to sit out Tuesday’s loss to FC Barcelona Regal at Palau St. Jordi. The swelling in his knee would reportedly not disappear after the game.

“Obviously, it’s unfortunate. Last year, we dealt with it. Hopefully, it’ll respond here in the next week or so, and I’ll play throughout the whole season.”

Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said the coaching and medical staff are monitoring his knee very closely.

Mavs forward Brandon Wright is also working through an injury. He played in the loss to Barcelona but said after the game that he’s still feeling his quad strain and may have to sit out for a while to get back to full strength.

For the first time, Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams has given some specific insight into what caused him to pass up his hometown Dallas Mavericks and remain with the Nets for their move to Brooklyn over the summer. According to a Tweet from The New York Times‘ Howard Beck, it has a lot to do with the Mavericks’ famous owner.

Deron Williams elaborated on choice of Nets over Mavs. Says Mark Cuban's absence at meeting helped cinch decision.—
Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) October 08, 2012

Deron met w/Carlisle and Donnie Nelson. But he had questions about Mavs' future that only Cuban could answer, he said.—
Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) October 08, 2012

Cuban missed the crucial meeting with Williams because he was in Californai shooting episodes of “Shark Tank,” the Emmy-winning reality show for which he is a judge, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

Chris Kaman is listed as day-to-day with a sprained back. (Glenn James/Getty Images)

Chris Kaman, who signed with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, sprained his lower back at Saturday’s team practice and is listed as day-to-day, according to Dwain Price of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

“Kaman went out with a sprained lower back, but not considered serious …but it’s enough to keep him out of about half the practice this morning,” coach Rick Carlisle said.

Kaman, 30, signed a one-year deal with the Mavs for $8 million. He is expected to start at center for the team, so the injury is worth keeping an eye on. Kaman has career averages of 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds and  made his only All-Star appearance in 2010. It was his only season in which he played more than 47 games since the 2007-08 season.

Despite the injury, Carlisle said that Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion and the injury-plagued Elton Brand and Vince Carter are in “great shape for this time of year.”