Dwain Price of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reports: Free-agent power forward Popeye Jones talked with the Mavericks on Monday about the possibilities of signing with the team within the next two weeks.

"We just wanted to have a chance to get to know him a little bit more," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations. "We are looking for more of a rebounding presence, and he's someone that makes a lot of sense, positionally, for our ballclub.

"When he was here before, he was a franchise and a fan favorite. Besides, he's one of the best per-minute rebounders that there is in the league."

A nine-year veteran, Jones played his first three NBA seasons with the Mavericks, from 1993-96. He also has played for Toronto, Boston, Denver and Washington, and averaged 7.0 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 43.7 percent from the field in 24.3 minutes per game last year for the Wizards.

Besides Jones, the Mavericks are holding out hope that Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis will forego a seven-year, $60 million offer from the Sonics and accept the Mavericks' three-year, $15 million offer. Nelson said even if the Mavericks sign Lewis -- they are saving their $4.5 million exception for him -- they still will try to sign Jones.

"The two [situations] are not related," said Nelson, adding that they won't press Lewis with a deadline for a decision.

"We want to respect his space, because it's a huge career decision," Nelson said. "But the $4.5 million exception has been reserved for him exclusively."

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are still expected to sign restricted free-agent forward Eduardo Najera. While discussions with Najera have progressed, they were interrupted because his agent, Dan Fegan, had to fly to Atlanta to check on another client, Hawks guard DerMarr Johnson. Johnson broke his neck Friday in an automobile accident.