The NBA has decided not to fine Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for saying he hopes Michael Finley will consider returning to his former team after his contract with the Spurs ends.

But that doesn't mean Spurs coach Gregg Popovich agrees with the decision.

"I don't know what tampering means, but it sure sounded like it to me," Popovich said. "I got a feeling if one of us coaches talked about somebody who had an option on his contract to leave that that would probably not be allowed.

"If we can't do it, I don't know why an owner can do it."

Cuban made the comment in a Fort Worth Star-Telegram story last week.

"I would hope that after his contract is over in San Antone, he would consider the Mavs an option," Cuban said. "I don't know that he would, but our entire organization has that much respect for him."