David Aldridge of ESPN reports that the Dallas Mavericks are talking to the Miami Heat. The object of the talks: Alonzo Mourning. The discussions are very preliminary, and Miami coach and president Pat Riley has said all summer that he will not trade Mourning, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Aldridge believes that the Mavs would offer Nick Van Exel in a package to try and land Mourning.

?Coach (Pat) Riley has gone on record saying that 'Zo will be on the team this year, and it's our intention to re-sign 'Zo at the end of the season," Heat spokesman Tim Donovan told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel at the time. "I want to be (in Miami), but I can deal with change," Mourning told the paper. "I know the business, and I've seen some strange things."