--Dallas was apparently in the mix for ex-Celtic banger Leon Powe, but he opted to join LeBron James and the re-tooled Cleveland Cavaliers. Powe's agent Aaron Goodwin told The Associated Press that the Mavs, Lakers and Heat were among the teams to show interest in Powe, who is expected to miss the first half of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee.
The Mavs were also rumored to be interested in young Celtic Glen Davis, but owner Mark Cuban quashed that notion earlier in the free-agent period. --The Mavs will play just seven preseason games this season as opposed to the typical eight. They open the preseason with a home game against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 5. They'll play four at home and three on the road. The regular-season opener is Oct. 27 against the Washington Wizards.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Dirk and I agreed last year after his Olympic run, which was his dream for Germany, that he would take a year off. He has the option of returning after this year if that is what he wants to do. Hopefully, instead, the NBA will return the favor to FIBA in the use of our players that FIBA gave to us in summer league." -- Mark Cuban, to espn.com, on Dirk Nowitzki agreeing not play for the German national team next month.
