Gortat was expected to visit Dallas before the weekend, and the sources said that the only thing that would prevent him from becoming a Maverick is if the Magic matches the offer, which is believed to be for the full mid-level exception - about $5.5 million.

Free-agent agreements in principle can be reached anytime, but the actual contracts cannot be signed until Wednesday.

Because Gortat is a restricted free agent, Orlando would have seven days to match the Mavericks' offer. If it does, Gortat would be required to stay with the Magic. However, if the contract were for five years, it would cost the Magic more than $30 million. It's also possible the teams could orchestrate a sign-and-trade.

Gortat averaged 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds last season. But a glimpse of his true value came in Game 6 of the Magic's first-round series against Philadelphia, when Dwight Howard was suspended. In that game, Gortat played 40 minutes and had 11 points and 15 rebounds as the Magic closed out the series.

During the regular season, he had four double-doubles, including a 13-point, 15-rebound effort in a March win over Chicago.

The 25-year-old Gortat, born in Poland, was the second-round draft choice (57th overall) of Phoenix in 2005. The Suns traded him to Orlando for cash.

It's not a guarantee that Gortat will be a Maverick , because of the Magic's right to match. But it does appear that the Mavericks have fended off teams such as San Antonio and Houston, both of which made pitches to Gortat and his agent.

One factor that probably is working in the Mavericks' favor is playing time. In Orlando, he would never be more than a low-minute backup to Howard.

The Mavericks are believed to be trying to trade center Erick Dampier, who has only one season left on his contract. Gortat would be able to step into a major role immediately if Dampier were packaged in a trade with Jerry Stackhouse or someone else.

Most experts around the NBA believe Gortat is ready for consistent playing time and to perhaps be a starter on a top team.

The Mavericks could also elect to retain Dampier going into the season while Gortat continues to develop and gets comfortable in coach Rick Carlisle's system.

Briefly: It appears the Mavericks will go into the holiday weekend without any clear picture of Jason Kidd's intentions. Kidd has met with Mark Cuban and the New York Knicks. It is believed he has not had any substantive meetings with Cleveland. Kidd has said he will weigh his options and could make a decision next week. ... Brandon Bass continues to get lots of interest leaguewide. Charlotte contacted Bass' agent Thursday, following San Antonio, Orlando, the Mavericks and a few other teams Wednesday. ... Quinton Ross, the former SMU and Kimball star, appears ready to sign a free-agent contract Wednesday. Terms are not yet known.

IN THE KNOW

Marcin Gortat

Age: 25

Ht./Wt.: 6-11, 240

NBA seasons: Two

Home country: Poland

Notable: Gortat became the first Polish-born player to appear in the NBA Finals. ... He is the son of boxer Janusz Gortat, a two-time bronze medal winner in the Summer Olympics.