The Suns are set on exploring the possibility of going after Michael Finley on the free agent market, a league source said Tuesday. The Mavericks bought out Finley for $51 million as a way to avoid paying the NBA's luxury tax. A number of teams with expensive contracts are doing the same thing because of a provision in the new collective bargaining agreement.

The Suns could use a shooter now that Quentin Richardson is going to New York for center-forward Kurt Thomas.

The Suns drafted Finley in 1995. He left in December, 1996 as part of the big trade that brought Jason Kidd from Dallas to the Suns.

For the past couple of days, rumors that Dallas Mavericks swingman Michael Finley will be released have heaten up and now it appears very likely to happen when the CBA is finalized in June.

According to a team source, Finley's release is "academic" due to the financial incentives.

"Whatever decisions [we make] will be made in the best interest of the franchise," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said Sunday. "That's pretty much what we promised our players and our fans. The part of the business of losing anyone on our team isn't a good feeling, especially Finley."

If the Mavericks waive Finley, they would save $51.8 million in luxury tax payments.

According to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News the new collective bargaining agreement may spell the end of Michael Finley's time as a Maverick.

The same clause in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement which would allow the New York Knicks to save luxury tax money by waiving Allan Houston could essentially end up saving Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $51 million over the next three seasons.

Should the Mavericks decide to waive Finley they would still have to pay his salary, but they would not have to pay the dollar for dollar luxury tax which affects all teams over the threshold.  The luxury tax threshold was set at $61 million last season.

Essentially, the remainder of Finley's $51 million contract could cost Cuban $102 million if they remain over the luxury-tax threshold, which is probable if Finley is retained.

The Mavericks have discussed the issue and are aware of the implications. It represents a chance to take a huge step toward the club being in a better financial situation for future player dealings. If the Mavericks execute this option, they would not be allowed to re-sign Finley for the length of the contract.

"Under the new CBA, a player could be released and you would save that money off the tax," president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "Every team in the NBA has a player who fits that mode."

According to Marc Stein from ESPN Dallas Mavericks center Shawn Bradley has informed the team of his intention to retire and is negotiating a buyout of his contract.

Bradley and the Mavericks, according to team sources, are close to finalizing a buyout arrangement. The 33-year-old has three seasons left on his contract at $14.5 million.

It's believed that Bradley, who struggled with knee and hip injuries this season, is leaving the game after 12 years for health and family reasons.

With Bradley possibly in need of additional surgery, Dallas is expected to forward his case to an independent doctor for review. If Bradley's injuries are determined to be career-ending, the balance of his contract would drop off the Dallas payroll after one season. If the injuries are not deemed career-ending, his contract remains on the Mavericks' cap.

Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson was a backup point guard 13 years ago with the San Antonio Spurs.

That same year, current Detroit Pistons coach Larry Brown was the head coach and current Spurs head coach Greg Popovich was one of his assistants.

Now, 13 years later, both are facing off in this year's NBA Finals, which start Thursday.

That is a place where Avery Johnson feels his team is not far from that same place.

If he does not get there and win the title within 3 or 4 years, Johnson has no problem with owner Mark Cuban replacing him.

"I'm all right with that. I'm secure with that," said Johnson, whose contract has three guaranteed years with an option for a fourth season. "Mark and I have the same vision. It's a pretty good team that we have here, and I think that's the window of opportunity. I don't have a problem with that.

In a chat with fans which appeared in the Dallas Morning News on June 2, columnist Eddie Sefko reported that it is 'a little-known fact that the Dallas Mavericks quietly shopped Dampier before the trade deadline', and they thought they had a deal also.

Although the trade obviously fell through, Sefko reports that Dampier's value right now is even lower but the team is not concerned as their past record shows that they have the ability to trade almost anyone.  Does this mean the Mavericks admit that Dampier was a mistake?

Mavericks swingman Michael Finley underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle to remove bone chips on Friday.

Finley is expected to be ready for training camp in October.