The Dallas Mavericks are confident that they are moving closer to signing Jermaine O'Neal, according to sources.

The Mavericks are closely monitoring O'Neal's progress as he works out in preparation for a comeback and hope to sign him by the All-Star break.

"We'll let you know when there's any breaking news, but right now, there's none," Rick Carlisle said on Sunday.

O'Neal has made it clear to interested teams that he doesn't intend to sign anywhere until he is closer to NBA game shape.

Mark Cuban believes the apathetic response from NBA fans for All-Star Game voting proves the system is "absolutely, positively broken."

Stephen Curry received just 1,513,324 votes despite leading the NBA.

"In context of everything, that's no votes," Cuban said. "That's such a small number considering all the different options you have to vote that it's almost embarrassing. It's just no one's really looked at it that way. ... I mean, think about it. Of all the people who go to games, all the people who watch games globally, to have [1.5] million means that system's broken. Absolutely, positively broken."

His concern is the relative lack of interest in the balloting.

"They go hand in hand," Cuban said. "We have that few votes, you're going to get one team or one player or one part of the world that skews everything. Again, if we were getting 20, 30, 50 million votes, which shows that fans just love it and wanted to participate, that'd be one thing. Then the fans have spoken.

"But when the number of voters isn't enough to even get anybody to notice ... That means basically .01 percent of NBA fans cared enough to vote, and that's saying every fan voted just once. Probably, if you include global, that means .00001 percent of fans thought enough to vote. That just shows nobody cares."

The average NBA franchise valuation is now a record $1.1 billion.

There are now 11 NBA teams worth at least $1 billion, compared to three a year ago.

The Los Angeles Lakers lead the way at $2.6 billion, up 93% over last year. 

The value of the New York Knicks shot up 79% to $2.5 billion, ranking the team second overall.

Rounding out the top five are the Chicago Bulls ($2 billion), Boston Celtics ($1.7 billion) and Los Angeles Clippers ($1.6 billion).

6. Brooklyn Nets: $1.5 billion
7. Golden State Warriors: $1.3 billion
8. Houston Rockets: $1.25 billion
9. Miami Heat: $1.175 billion
10. Dallas Mavericks: $1.15 billion
11. San Antonio Spurs: $1 billion
12. Portland Trail Blazers: $940 million
13. Oklahoma City Thunder: $930 million
14. Toronto Raptors: $920 million
15. Cleveland Cavaliers: $915 million
16. Phoenix Suns: $910 million
17. Washington Wizards: $900 million
18. Orlando Magic: $875 million
19. Denver Nuggets: $855 million
20. Utah Jazz: $850 million
21. Indiana Pacers: $830 million
22. Atlanta Hawks: $825 million
23. Detroit Pistons: $810 million
24. Sacramento Kings: $800 million
25. Memphis Grizzlies: $750 million
26. Charlotte Hornets: $725 million
27. Philadelphia 76ers: $700 million
28. New Orleans Pelicans: $650 million
29. Minnesota Timberwolves: $625 million
30. Milwaukee Bucks: $600 million

Dirk Nowitzki is shooting just 46.4 percent from the floor and 34.1 percent on three-point attempts after a strong start to the season.

In December, Nowitzki shot 43.5 percent overall and 27.8 percent from three. 

According to NBA.com, Nowitzki is hitting 47.7 percent of his "open" two point shots that are greater than 10 feet from the basket -- midrange jumpers, essentially. NBA.com defines open as the closest defender 4-6 feet away. For comparison, Nowitzki shot 51.8 percent on those shots last season.

Roy Tarpley has died at the age of 50.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner did not list a cause of death for Tarpley, who passed away at a hospital in Arlington, Texas.

Tarpley, the seventh overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft out of Michigan, earned the league's sixth man of the year award in his second season. That was the final full season of Tarpley's career due to suspensions and an eventual lifetime ban from the NBA due to DWI arrests and violating the league's drug policy.

The Portland Trail Blazers have begun to express interest in Jermaine O'Neal.

O'Neal was drafted out of high school in 1996 by the Blazers.

The Dallas Mavericks are widely considered the frontrunners to sign O'Neal, who lives in the Dallas area. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers are also interested in O'Neal.

Emeka Okafor is giving strong consideration to delaying his comeback from a neck injury until next season.

Okafor is "healthy," according to one source, but isn't sure if he wants to rush back to NBA action.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks are among the teams interested in Okafor should he make himself available.

Okafor missed the entire 13-14 season after suffering a herniated disk in his neck.

Rajon Rondo will be a free agent this offseason, but the Dallas Mavericks are confident in their chances of re-signing him.

"My focus has been basketball, basketball, basketball, not necessarily being a free agent," Rondo said. "I mean obviously I think (the Mavericks will) have the upside (in free agency). I wouldn't say it's wide open (in terms of considering other teams), but I wouldn't say it's closed (solely to the Mavericks) either because obviously they are the team that came and got me and from Day One they've been very loyal and very supportive in this transition for me."

Rondo is returning to play the Boston Celtics on Friday.

"It's one of the best, if not the best, franchises in history as far as winning championships in any sport, and probably the best fans in the world, so I had a great time here in Boston," Rondo said. "I'm going to miss it. I think the thing I'll miss probably the most is my teammates, and the fans. I don't think there are any other fans in sports like Celtic fans.

"They've always been fair to me. Even my rookie year, when we were struggling and lost 18 (games) in a row, we still had sold out games and they were very supportive…When I'd walk the streets of Boston, went to restaurants – in other places you might get some negative comments – but I can't remember one time when I got into it with a fan or someone said something crazy to me or someone I was with, so just a lot of love and a lot of respect that this town has had for me and I've tried to show it back."

Rondo felt fortunate to be traded to the Mavericks.

"They could have shipped me anywhere, and I'm very fortunate to go to a team that's ready to compete for a title," Rondo said. "But to play with the talent that I have around me (in Dallas), I think I have a good shot (of succeeding)…It's very motivating. Things worked out for both teams."

Rajon Rondo has been rejuvenated with the Dallas Mavericks, playing for a contender and a contract.

Danny Ainge agreed Rondo will be motivated to prove that he is worth a maximum level contract. The Boston Celtics traded Rondo to the Mavericks this season.

"This second half of the year is a very big one for Rajon,'' Ainge said. "Dallas is getting a player who is very motivated to prove he's a max guy.''