The Dallas Mavericks may bring Nerlens Noel off the bench this season.

“I had a discussion three days ago with Nerlens’s agent, Rich Paul, about that and then two days ago Nerlens, myself, Rich, and Donnie Nelson were on a conference call talking about it," Carlisle said. “I basically said to them that I’m not sure that he is going to start.”

Dirk Nowitzki now plays almost exclusively at center and is unlikely to come off the bench.

“At this point in time Dirk at the 5 position is probably the best scenario for Dirk and for our team. And I just don’t think Dirk is the guy that is going to come off the bench as long as I’m here.

"There’s a very good chance Nerlens is going to come off the bench.”

Noel took the one-year qualifying offer from the Mavericks and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.