Sources claim that the Mavericks and Cowboys are teaming up to court the 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend, according to The Dallas Morning News.

No bid has been submitted, and all that has been done at this point is the initial stage of exploring options, but the unique pairing has NBA officials interested.

"It's important to me to find a venue that can support all of our season ticket-holders and all of the visitors who would come to Dallas for the game," Mark Cuban said by e-mail. "We are exploring all of our options."

Cuban hasn't wanted to host the All-Star Game at American Airlines Center because he doesn't feel the building would hold both season ticket holders and all the extra attendance involved with All-Star weekend.

The Dallas Mavericks are saying that smoothing things over with Josh Howard is a prudent course of action and, while they may shop him over the off season, it is most likely they will not get equal value for him and will retain his services, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News is reporting.

Howard, once considered untouchable, was a distraction for the Mavs during the playoffs when he admitted to off-season marijuana usage on a radio program, followed by a late-night birthday bash.

"After spending every day the last week with him, it's clear to me that Josh knows that this is a critical summer for him," Coach Rick Carlisle said Wednesday. "He understands he's made some mistakes. And I made it clear to him that trust has to be earned. And he has a lot of people to win back. It's doable. But it takes time."

"He told me that it's very important to him to stay a Dallas Maverick. He also understands his name is going to be out there with speculation and rumors. I like the things I've heard to this point. But trust and respect is a two-way street. I made it clear to him that I'm going to do my part. And so far, he's done his."

Rick Carlisle has already vowed to maintain the uptempo style in Dallas, but now he's warning his new players that training camp won't be a breeze, according to The Dallas Morning News.

"They're going to find out that playing faster and with momentum isn't just a matter of going out there and having a little more fun," Carlisle said. "It is a lot of work. This will probably be one of the tougher training camps these guys have ever had."

Carlisle also vowed to allow Jason Kidd to run a portion of the offense on Wednesday.

"The physical commitment to being an uptempo team is something that very few guys have experienced. We made a commitment to run my last year in Indiana, and the players were shocked how difficult training camp was," he added.

One way for the Mavericks to jump start their roster would be to acquire forward Ron Artest from Sacramento, and Rick Carlisle isn't opposed to coaching the former Pacer once again, according to The Dallas Morning News.

When asked about coaching Artest again during an appearance on ESPN's 103.3 Galloway and Company this afternoon, Carlisle had this to say:

"Of course," said Carlisle. "This guy is one of the real difference-makers that we have in this league. He's had one all-star year; that's when he played for me. I've had a chance to reconnect with Ronnie a couple times over the last couple of years. I love him and I love his family, so yeah. This guy was one of the most physical, intimidating players that I've ever seen at the small forward position, so he'd be a player that any team would want to have."

New Mavericks' Head Coach Rick Carlisle has vowed to let Jason Kidd and the offense run this coming season, according to The Associated Press.

"When you play with Jason Kidd, you have to open it up," Carlisle said Wednesday when he was introduced. "Our wing guys are going to have to get conditioned to really run. The thing Jason Kidd does better than probably any point guard in the league is push the ball ahead."

"I think he embodies all the good things the Mavs are looking to accomplish -- hard work, ingenuity, creativity," team owner Mark Cuban said of the only candidate the organization interviewed. "We're really proud and excited to have him here."

Carlisle was famous in both Detroit and Indiana for his plodding and methodical offenses, far from the type of style he intends to run in Dallas.

Avery Johnson may be leaning toward taking at least a season off and collecting the money owed him by the Dallas Mavericks, but the Bulls still intend on talking to him.

Johnson has three years and $12 million left on his Dallas contract, which will become void as soon as he accepts a job with another club.

Some don't believe Rick Carlisle is the right fit for the Mavericks, but Jerry Stackhouse tends to disagree, according to The Dallas Morning News.

"He's the best guy available and the best coach for our team with our personalities," said Stackhouse, who played for Carlisle in Detroit. "He's the best fit without question. There are not enough positive things I can say about him."

Stackhouse isn't guaranteed to be in camp with Dallas this fall, so you can wipe out the notion that he's trying to get in good with the new coach.

"Rick is smart enough to get it done," Stackhouse assured. "If you judge him from what he has done in the past, there is reason to ask can this guy adjust to what the Mavericks want to do as they go forward. But knowing him, he's a coach who adjusts and operates with the personnel he has."

Rick Carlisle and the Mavericks have reached an agreement on a four-year contract that will reportedly pay him close to $4 million a season, according to The Dallas Morning News.

They reached an agreement in principle on Friday night, with both sides confirming the rumors.

Dallas isn't expected to officially announce the hiring of Carlisle as the team's ninth coach until the middle of next week.

Carlisle previously coached the Pacers and Pistons.

Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban has confirmed via email to the Associated Press that a verbal deal is in place between Dallas and Rick Carlisle to make Carlisle the team's new coach.

The contract "will be signed tomorrow (Saturday)," with a news conference Wednesday because Cuban will be out of town until then.

Reached late Friday, Carlisle said, "Whatever Mark told you is what's going on. I'm not going to make any comments about it right now."

The Dallas Mavericks and Rick Carlisle are still stuck in negotiations on the contract which will make Carlisle the team's head coach, the Dallas Morning News is reporting.

Carlisle will still be the team's new coach, but the two parties are trying to leverage the best deal for their own side, which is slowing down the process.

Another factor which is not helping the speed is Carlisle shares the same agent as Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, who is currently negotiating with both the Knicks and Bulls.