HoopsHype.com Rumors

“We’ve got 15 spots and 13 players are under contract,’’ general manager Donnie Nelson told fishbowlradionetwork.com on Monday. “We’ve got a little work to do yet, hopefully Delonte will slide into one of those spots. “If that’s the case that’ll be great.’’ Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Delonte West, Donnie Nelson 

And if that’s not the case? “There’s also an argument for keeping that last roster spot open, because sometimes you get lucky towards the end of the summer,’’Nelson said. “That’s probably how we’ll play it up, unless something really good presents itself.’’ Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Delonte West, Donnie Nelson 

Dwain Price: #Mavs GM Donnie Nelson: "You need about four days to explain the new CBA. It's good material if you want to get a good nap in.'' Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, CBA, Donnie Nelson 

But the pickups of one-year contracts in no way indicate that the Mavs will be flipping their roster year after year until they finally land that really big fish. At least that's what they're saying. "Our intent is we look first and foremost at the guys in our locker room," said general manager Donnie Nelson, referring to free agency. "I'd say the majority of the time we don't want change. "We want to have continuity, because I think that breeds success. We're not looking to flip shirts every chance we get." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Donnie Nelson 

Asked if the Mavericks are already planning Nowitzki's next contract, Nelson said No. 41 isn't going anywhere. "I do not foresee under any scenario Dirk not being a Maverick or not retiring a Maverick," Nelson said. "That's one of those situations where this has been a marriage that was magical from the get-go. That's not going to change." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Dirk Nowitzki, Donnie Nelson 

Nowitzki, 34, won't play forever. But he's also not nearing the end, especially if considering the status of a couple of his 7-foot MVP peers. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are both 36 and each recently signed three-year contracts taking them to the verge of 40. Why can't that be Nowitzki? "It's important not to assume anything," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "I think with these two years we've got to do the same thing we did last year and that's keep his minutes reasonable, we've got to surround him with the right guys and put ourselves in a position to be successful. "If we do those things, he's going to want to continue to play. We're all involved with that. We know the challenges." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Dirk Nowitzki, Donnie Nelson 

"I don't foresee Dirk all of the sudden hitting some wall in the next year or two," Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson said. "Our plan has always been to put ourselves in a positive position to win a championship. There's different ways of doing that. "With the amnesty situation, we've come away with a pretty darn good player [Brand] there. With free agency with Kaman and the creativity in some of our contracts, we feel we can be right there in the thick of it this year and, next year, we've got significant cap room to get a couple big guys." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Dirk Nowitzki, Donnie Nelson 

Dwain Price: On bringing back G Delonte West, #Mavs GM Donnie Nelson said: "We’re continuing to be engaged and we just have to see how things pan out." Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Delonte West, Donnie Nelson 

The Mavericks' plan is for their latest acquisition, O.J. Mayo, is to start him at shooting guard. "That’s a Rick (Carlisle) decision, but that’s the way it’s penciled in, and he can swing back and forth between (point guard) and (shooting guard)," Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said during Tuesday's appearance on the "Ben & Skin Show." "Look, O.J. will do whatever it takes to win and he proved that in Memphis, whether it’s starting or coming off the bench." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, OJ Mayo, Donnie Nelson, Rick Carlisle 

So is there still room for West? President of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said Tuesday that there is. "We’d love to have Delonte back," Nelson said during an appearance on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM's "Ben & Skin Show." "Look, we’re not done. We’re continuing to kind of build the roster and put ourselves in position to contend next year." West would first have to be agreeable to signing a deal for the Mavs' "room" exception of $2.5 million. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Delonte West, Donnie Nelson 

Donnie Nelson: “Our work’s not finished, clearly. We’re still out there with free agency and trade possibilities. We’re still in the thick of it.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Trade, Donnie Nelson 

Donnie Nelson on the subject of trading Dirk ... "No. It’s not in the cards. He’s got a no-trade clause and we would love for him to retire a Maverick. ... He's a Mav for life.'' Scout.com

Dallas Mavericks, Trade, Dirk Nowitzki, Donnie Nelson 

Donnie Nelson on the subject of the failed DeronQuest ... Donnie: "It was tough. We thought we had a good chance. ... It was a tough decision (for him) and a close call. I can’t tell you at the end of the day what the main reason was. Maybe it was the excitement of a new city or arena. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Listen, that happens in sports, in business, in life. You've got to pick yourself back up and get back at it. Which we immediately started doing.' Scout.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Deron Williams, Donnie Nelson 

On the subject of Cuban's absence at The Pitch while he was instead in LA filming "Shark Talk ... Donnie: "(Cuban) couldn’t control the scheduling and he'd made a comment. But more than that, Deron requested a basketball conversation. Mark signs the checks and was all-in on this deal. It was unfortunate that it didn't work out but it (Cuban's absence) didn’t make a difference. It was mostly an Xs-and-Os meeting that Rick and I handled because those are the Scout.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Deron Williams, Donnie Nelson 

Mike Fisher: I ask Donnie Nelson abt Deron agent Schwartz. 'I consider him a very good friend' the GM says. Good. #Mavs cod use a friend right now. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Deron Williams, Donnie Nelson, Jeff Schwartz 

Mike Fisher: #mavs GM Donnie Nelson 'very interested' in FA 2-guard Brandon Roy. He was amnestied, so avail to contact. Ya, Mavs have contacted him. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Donnie Nelson, Brandon Roy 

Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said he believes Beaubois, finally healthy enough to train for the full summer, has the desire and toughness to excel, and that he's been the victim of a veteran log-jam in the backcourt. "Yes, the injury really set him back," Nelson said. "There’s another late first-round pick that’s quick as a cat, upside and again you’re stuck behind one of the greatest point guards to ever play (Jason Kidd) and then Delonte (West) really did some nice stuff for us this year and we certainly have to figure out a way to get him minutes. So in fairness to Roddy, the injury set him back, it’s been a little bit disjointed in terms of playing time as a result of that, but last year he really helped us win some games and we’re really looking forward to him building on this past year." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Rodrigue Beaubois, Donnie Nelson 

During Tuesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers, a sign went up on the scoreboard wishing Williams happy birthday. It was followed by the captain that read: "Be A Maverick!" The good gesture didn't go unnoticed by the Mavs' organization. Mavs general manager Donnie Nelson said: "For our friends up the street, the Rangers, that was a very nice touch and much appreciated.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Deron Williams, Donnie Nelson 

The Dallas Mavericks might use the NBA's one-time amnesty clause before free agency opens Sunday. General manager Donnie Nelson wouldn't say if center Brendan Haywood would be the target, as some media outlets have reported. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Brendan Haywood, Donnie Nelson 

"You guys got the roster ... You can do the math," Nelson said when asked about Haywood. "[But] that's not the only route to clear space." The amnesty clause allows teams to waive a player and not have his salary count against the cap. However, the player would still receive his salary. The Mavs also could renounce the rights to guard Vince Carter, center Brandan Wright and guard Kelenna Azubuike to clear space. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Vince Carter, Kelenna Azubuike, Brendan Haywood, Donnie Nelson, Brandan Wright