OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The NBA will speak to Dallas coach Don Nelson, who made contact with Golden State guard Avery Johnson via e-mail and offered him a position on the Mavericks' coaching staff starting this postseason.
``We're going to speak to coach Nelson and tell him that those types of actions aren't appropriate,'' NBA spokesman Tim Frank told The Associated Press on Monday night. ``I don't think the intent here was to cause a problem, but it's not allowed in our rules to have contact with players on other teams.''
It was unclear whether Nelson would face disciplinary action by the league or only receive a warning.
Before Dallas played in Sacramento on Thursday night, Nelson said he had e-mailed Johnson _ his former player with Golden State and Dallas _ and offered him a coaching job.
``He's got a standing offer from me to join my staff at any time,'' Nelson said. ``I was hoping he would join us for the playoffs if they don't make it and be a part of our organization again. I love working with the guy. I think he will be a good head coach.''
Johnson, in his 16th NBA season, has said he plans to go into coaching soon, but hasn't given a timeline.
When asked about Nelson's offer Monday before the Warriors played San Antonio, Johnson said: ``I heard about that. No comment.''
Warriors coach Eric Musselman also avoided the subject.
``I just worry about the 12 guys in uniform,'' he said. ``That's all I'll comment on. I just worry about him with the Golden State Warriors.''
The Warriors contacted the league to make them aware of the issue.