The Dallas Mavericks have a deal in place to secure the services of Avery Johnson for next season, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said yesterday. The deal does not, however, specify the capacity in which the diminutive veteran will work.

"We are working on whether he is a coach or player-coach," Cuban said.

The team plans to use training camp as a chance to determine whether Johnson, in his second stint with the team, still can offer anything on the court. He definitely will be offered an opportunity to stay on the coaching staff for a long period of time, Cuban said. He served as an assistant coach for the Mavericks two years ago during the playoffs after being left off the playoff roster.

Johnson played for the Golden State Warriors last season in his second stint with them after being traded from Dallas in the Antawn Jamison-Nick Van Exel deal.