Marquis Daniels is scheduled to take a major step today in his return to the Mavericks.

The club expects Daniels to participate in a full off-day practice in Portland. The plan, according to coach Avery Johnson, is for Daniels to go through "one or two" practices before having a strained neck re-evaluated.

If all goes well, Daniels could return during this trip. He has missed the last eight games.

"He's trying to get back," Johnson said before Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers .