The Dallas Mavericks are in transition as they were unable to secure an elite player in the offseason, but still brought in nine new players.

Rick Carlisle is in his fifth season as head coach, leading the Mavericks to the championship in 2011 while also presiding over a team that will be fortunate to make the playoffs in 2013.

Donnie Nelson believes Carlisle is a capable coach regardless of the situation.

"Rick is one of those guys that whether it's a veteran team or whether it's a team with a lot of new faces like we have now, I think he's one of those rare guys that's equally effective in both of those areas," said Carlisle. "You have some guys come in that are specialists that can rebuild, you have some guys that are good with the kind of in-between teams, you've got some guys that come in and are specialists and take this championship team and get the most out of them. I think Rick really runs the gamut."

The Dallas Mavericks have waived Delonte West.

The Mavericks were unable to agree to a buyout with West, who had been suspended twice by the team over the past two weeks.

Eddy Curry is likely to start at center for the Dallas Mavericks as they begin the 12-13 NBA season on Tuesday.

Chris Kaman still wasn’t able to scrimmage on Sunday and is unlikely to play against the Lakers on Tuesday.

“There was a sighting. It was brief,’’ said Rick Carlisle of what Kaman could do in practice. “He got through some of the shooting and 5-on-0 work. But he’s not there yet.’’

Curry had 11 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes Friday against Charlotte.

“He’s doing OK,’’ Carlisle said. “He’s a force in the paint offensively. We’d like to get him more active defensively and rebounding a little bit more. But his attitude has been good, and he’s worked hard to get himself in pretty good shape.’’

The Dallas Mavericks announced the signing of Melvin Ely and Chris Douglas-Roberts.

Ely most recently played for Brujos de Guayama in Puerto Rico.

Douglas-Roberts spent training camp with the Los Angeles Lakers where he averaged 4 points in four preseason games.

Mark Cuban indicated that no decision has been made regarding Delonte West's future with the Mavericks.

“No decisions have been made one way or another; otherwise we would have made it,” Cuban said, adding, “It’s just a process that’s pretty much down to me making a decision.”

Cuban recalled Dallas' experience with Lamar Odom, but did not rule out West returning to the team.

“Do you not remember last year?” Cuban added, “Let’s just say we won’t give as many chances as we gave people last year.”

Cuban said he was “too forgiving when everybody else was telling me not to be. So I’ll take that one. I won’t be as forgiving this year. I learned my lessons.”

Delonte West's tenure with the Dallas Mavericks appears to be over, according to a source.

West was suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team, his second suspension in two weeks.

West said he was being blamed for an argument between teammates after the Mavs' 88-76 exhibition loss to the Thunder.

"There was an argument between two teammates in the locker room last night that didn't involve me," said West, who had two points, one assist and three turnovers in 21 minutes against the Thunder. "Somehow I'm being blamed for it. I had nothing to do with it. I don't know what's going on."

The Mavericks' front office is concerned about West's influence on young players on the roster, according to a source.

West and the Mavericks could agree to a buyout that would leave him free to sign with another team.

Eddy Curry has been claimed off waivers by the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavericks already have 15 players on the roster, which would mean the team would need to cut a player.

Curry had been in camp with the Spurs.

Delonte West has again been suspended indefinitely by the Dallas Mavericks for conduct detrimental to the team.

West was suspended last week following an outburst in the locker room.

Dirk Nowitzki underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Friday.

Nowitzki has been dealing with knee issues throughout the preseason, but had been hoping to avoid surgery.

Nowitzki is expected to miss approximately six weeks.

The Mavericks waived Josh Akognon, who was signed as free agent on Sept. 27.

Akognon played in three preseason games and averaged 2.3 points in 3.7 minutes.

A source told RealGM in September that Akognon would return to China assuming he didn't make the regular season roster of the Mavericks.