Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports that Nick Van Exel will be out 4-6 weeks after surgery on his knee. The procedure wasn?t performed to correct any specific injury, but to repair the wear and tear on the joint over a 10-year career.

"It happened quickly after the last game," Mavericks coach Don Nelson said. "Nick just didn't think he could be effective. He talked to the captains and talked to me, and it went very well. They cleaned it up and are very happy with it. We were told four to six weeks. So we're in a situation where we're going to be without Nick for a little bit."

The Mavericks are now looking for a replacement to play the role of backup to Steve Nash, but they may not settle for a traditional point guard. George McCloud is one of the players being considered. He is a forward with point guard skills who averaged 8.8 points and 3 assists in 69 games with the Nuggets last season.

Other free agent guards include Dell Curry, Greg Anthony, Eddie Gill, Dana Barros, Mookie Blaylock and Matt Maloney. "There's not a lot left out there, but there's a couple of players we're taking a look at," Nelson said. "What I'm looking for is a veteran who I know what he can do. And I don't think we can have enough shooters."