Mav defensive coordinator Rolando Blackman has been hired as an assistant coach for Germany's national team, which stars Dirk Nowitzki, reports Dallas Morning News' Marc Stein.  Possibly joining them is Shawn Bradley.  Bradley was born in Germany and is therefore eligible for citizenship and, hence, for the German national team.  Bradley would like to play in the Olympics and playing for Germany may be a more realistic route than to play for USA.

Chris Tomasson of the Beacon Journal reports that Del Harris has removed his name from consideration for the Cleveland Cavaliers head coaching position. He will opt to stay in Dallas as an assistant with the Mavericks instead. The reported candidates remaining for the job are former NBA coach and current Fordham coach Bob Hill, Nuggets assistant coach John Lucas and Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins.

Chris Tomasson of the Beacon Journal writes that Del Harris may be holding out for more money. Harris is the lead candidate for the Cavaliers Head Coaching vacancy and is now considering the offer. Sources have said that he wants more than the Cavs are offering to leave his comfortable position as Assistant Coach of the Dallas Mavericks.

Ken Sins of The Sporting News writes that the Mavericks need to improve their bench this offseason to get more rest for their starters.

Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News writes that next year's zone defenses won't be all bad for Dallas fans.  While it will make NBA basketball much uglier in the short-term, it should play to the strengths of the Mavs.

Star Dallas forward Michael Finley will opt out of his current contract says his agent Henry Thomas according to Jodie Valade of the Dallas Morning News.  It is unclear whether he'll entertain offers from other teams.  Mark Cuban is expected to offer him the max, a 7-year, $100 million (approximately) deal.

In a remarkably candid interview with the Vancouver Sun, Mark Cuban says, "Vancouver shouldn't be mad at Michael Heisley. They should be mad at the NBA. We both got our franchises at the exact same time and the NBA convinced him to do it their way by following the NBA template. They also tried to convince me, but I told them to take a long walk. We can see the difference in what happened."  Cuban explains how the team could have been made to work in Vancouver.  But he says he'll support Heisley in moving, adding that Heisley is "getting screwed again because the NBA hasn't made up their mind so he can't start selling tickets. I'm sure Heisley's kicking himself for even buying the team now."

Tom Withers of the AP reports that Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Del Harris has not completely ruled out coaching the Cavaliers next season. Del's son Larry says that Harris is contemplating the offer and will decide soon.

Mike Kahn of CBS Sportsline writes that NBA Commissioner David Stern won't grant Mark Cuban an audience.  But that doesn't keep Cuban from telling the public what he wants to tell Stern.  Lately on his list, the Board of Governors and the time clock.

Gregg Jones of the Dallas Morning News writes about Tony Ronzone, the Mavericks' director of international scouting.  Ronzone was instrumental to getting Wang Zhi-Zhi into the NBA and has been building a relationship with Chinese basketball for years.