Thunder star Kevin Durant suffered what The Oklahoman has labeled a severely sprained right ankle against Dallas on Friday night, and it is unknown how long the dynamic scorer will be on the sidelines.

Durant used crutches and wore a protective boot on his right foot when leaving American Airlines Center. Team officials list him as day-to-day, but the injury was severe enough that team officials took an X-ray, which was negative.

"Kevin is a tough guy,? said teammate Jeff Green. "Hopefully, he doesn?t rush back too soon. We have some great trainers to help him get back quickly. We?ve just got to make up for him (being out).?

"I have no clue at this point (how long he?ll be out),? said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks.

Mavericks swingman Jerry Stackhouse is back on the shelf after not being satisfied with how his injured foot responded after a three-month layoff.

He met with coach Rick Carlisle on Monday and has been deactivated.

"I'm a little down, but I'm not where I need to be," said Stackhouse. "I don't want to take minutes away from guys who deserve to be out there at this point.

"It's hard, and it put [Carlisle] in a tough position, too. I know he wants to try to get me back, at the same time, where is the balance? We need to win games.

"Instead of putting myself and my teammates in a bad position, we thought it was best to step back and let me work it out on my own."

He has been suffering from plantar fasciitis and a bone spur in his heel all season long.

Dirk Nowitzki revealed to the Star-Telegram on Sunday that he wants to retire as a member of the Mavericks as long as owner Mark Cuban welcomes him.

"Mark knows I want to be," Nowitzki said. "That's all we've talked about for the last couple of years. I'd love to stay here but I think we made it pretty clear that this franchise wants to win a championship. So at some point, if you can't reach your goal, changes come with that. I understand the business.

"We've been trying for a lot of years now. If we lose in the first round again this year or next year, who knows what can happen? But I'd love to end my career here."

A league source expects Jason Kidd to finish his career as a member of the Mavericks.

Kidd was involved in trade rumors this season, but he's happy in Dallas, where his career began.

The Mavericks would like to sign him to a less expensive contract, and also have concerns about hurting their chances to be a player in the summer of 2010.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is talking to teams about guard Jerry Stackhouse, and admits that he is willing to take on salary in a trade as long as it's nothing crazy.

"We're opportunistic," Cuban said. "We'll take on money. We just won't do anything crazy."

However, it is becoming more and more likely that the Mavericks will stand pat this season.

"Our approach has stayed the same," Cuban said. "We try to be the guys who were willing to pull the trigger, as opposed to hemming and hawing, but the deals weren't there. Everyone knows what they want to do at this point. It's more a question of, does someone give up or does someone get extra excited? We'll see."

The Nets have been unable to land a substantial piece in a trade for guard Vince Carter, according to numerous general managers.

Dallas isn't willing to deal Josh Howard for Carter, while Houston won't give up Shane Battier.

The Clippers have offered Baron Davis to both the Mavericks and Warriors.

Los Angeles also discussed a trade that would send Davis to Houston, but sources tell Marc Stein that any such deal will not happen.

The Mavs recently rejected a trade proposed by the Clippers that would have sent Baron Davis to Dallas for Jason Kidd.

A person familiar with the Nets told Ken Berger of CBS Sports that several teams are interested in Vince Carter, but Dallas and San Antonio are not among them.

New Jersey has had conversations with about six teams, but only serious talks one club.

On Friday night it was reported that the Spurs were the leading contender to land Carter, with the Mavericks interested as well.

San Antonio is considered the most likely destination for Vince Carter, but the two other Texas teams are interested in dealing with New Jersey as well.

The Spurs have offered a 4-for-1 package that includes young pieces like Roger Mason Jr. and George Hill, but the offers that the Mavericks and Rockets make could help the Nets over the short-term.

The Sporting News has reported that Dallas offered Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse, while Houston could ship Ron Artest's expiring contract for Carter.