Jodie Valade of the Dallas Morning News reports: That deep Mavericks bench earned plenty of playing time Tuesday, highlighting much of a 112-80 dismissal of the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Center.

They are competing, now, for one of 11 spots on the roster.

Coach-general manager Don Nelson said the NBA has told the Mavericks that the absent Wang Zhizhi must be included in the team's 12-man active roster ? even while he's in China competing in the Asian Games until December.

Only the slightest glimmer of hope remains that the league would offset the Mavericks' roster woes with a special "international dispensation," as owner Mark Cuban has requested, but the Mavericks are entering the season with expectations that Wang must be included on the 15-player roster.

Two players must be cut from the Mavericks' 17-man group by the end of training camp. Only three games remain to impress, with cuts most likely to come from injured Muggsy Bogues, guards Khalid El-Amin and Darrick Martin, or forward Ruben Wolkowyski.

Valade also reports that Dirk Nowitzki contract extension is almost a done deal.