"We had a chance to take a close look at some of these guys and the experience was positive," coach Rick Carlisle said. "An 11-game summer league schedule is not easy. It's a lot of games crammed into a short period of time. Everyone's concentration was good and we went 7-4."

The competition for open roster spots should be fierce this fall, but the Mavs aren't necessarily done tinkering with the team. Just don't expect any changes in the immediate future with president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson in China for the Olympics as an assistant on the Chinese national team.

"As we say in TV, 'Stay tuned,'" Carlisle said. "Anything is possible. There can be no activity, there can be a huge trade or there can be a minor trade. There are a host of possibilities, but right now it's quiet."

--The five-ringed spotlight falls on F Dirk Nowitzki and G Jason Kidd, for different reasons, as the Olympics open in Beijing. Kidd has been there and done that with Team USA. This is all new for Nowitzki, freshly chosen as the German flag bearer.

"I'll be watching it very closely just because I have a rooting interest for both guys," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "I'm viewing the Olympic experience as very positive for our team because I think that kind of experience will help your growth as a player."

You can bet Carlisle has Aug. 18 circled, as the Americans and Germans finish off pool play against each other. Nowitzki and Kidd last faced off against one another in the All-Star Game.

"The Olympics will be of great interest to all Mavs fans because of these two guys and (their) two great stories," Carlisle continued. "Jason Kidd is the elder statesman and captain of the U.S. team, and Dirk is the captain and inspirational leader of Germany's team. It's a huge deal."