Some front office executives believe the Blazers are doing due diligence on Donnie Nelson as a candidate for their general manager vacancy.

Nelson is a longtime executive with the Mavericks.

There is no concrete evidence to suggest the Blazers have asked Dallas for permission to interview Nelson.

Josh Howard will host an exhibition game in Dallas headlined by John Wall, LaMarcus Aldridge and Jason Terry.

Corey Brewer, Marquis Daniels, Anthony Randolph and Reggie Evans are also scheduled to play.

Dirk Nowitzki is planning on returning to Germany in the near future if the NBA lockout continues.

"If there's no settlement I'll probably go back home soon, start training with my coach again. It's time to really get back in the routine. Got to keep the options open, maybe see what's going on overseas. ... If the lockout stays strong, I've definitely got to look into something there January and February, if the lockout really continues to stay strong."

Billy Hunter mentioned by name four owners who he believes are ready to make a deal, making the argument that the NBA is less united than they have appeared.

Jerry Buss of the Lakers, James Dolan of the Knicks, Mark Cuban of the Mavericks and Micky Arison of the Heat are, according to Hunter, ready to make a deal.

“They want a deal,” Hunter said of those four owners. “A group of owners from small markets are dug in, and they are carrying the day. The guys who are anxious to cut a deal don’t have the votes.”

Dirk Nowitzki will be invited to throw out the first pitch of an upcoming World Series game by Major League Baseball.

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said commissioner Bud Selig didn't know Nowitzki wasn't involved and thought he should be. 

A report on Wednesday from ESPN's Marc Stein suggested the lockout could be blocking Nowitzki's role in the ceremonial first pitch.

"Thanks every1 on the support regarding first pitch," wrote Nowitzki on his Twitter feed earlier in the day. "Its ok. MLB is too old school. I will still be there to support our boys. Let's get game1."

The Rangers nominated Dirk Nowitzki to throw out a first pitch before one of their World Series games, but the recommendation has been vetored by the MLB.

All first pitch assignments must be approved by the league office.

Sources say there was some hesitation from MLB executives to not stand behind their counterparts in the NBA league office by giving such an honor to an NBA player.

Major League Baseball insists that the NBA's labor unrest had any impact on Nowitzki not being selected to throw out the first pitch.

"MLB absolutely denies that any part in selecting the first ball pitcher had anything to do with the current labor situation in the NBA," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said. "You want the club's input in what makes sense for them and then we talk about what makes sense for the team and a good broad-base national appeal.

"It's a nice problem to have that you get a list of 10 or 15 names and you work your way through them. We know Nowitzki's been at the games, and that's wonderful. We're glad he's there."

Jason Terry threw out the first pitch in July, after the lockout began.

"[Nowitzki] was a consideration and it's definitely not happening," one source with knowledge of the Rangers' thinking said.

Dirk Nowitzki refuted a report coming from Greece this week that linked him to Real Madrid.

"I haven't talked to anybody yet," said Nowitzki. "I'm still hoping that we can get a deal done soon."

Del Harris has taken a position as head coach of the D-League's Texas Legends, according to sources.

The Legends were close to a deal with Bruce Pearl before the former Tennessee coach accepted a position with a Knoxville marketing agency.