DALLAS (AP) – The Mavericks have surrounded Dirk Nowitzki with a bunch of veteran newcomers and a lot of players with one-year deals.

Dallas now seems to be holding season-long auditions after being unable to persuade Deron Williams to come home to play and team up with its 11-time All-Star. While trying to get back in the playoffs this season, the Mavs are also keeping financial flexibility if they want to take another stab at a big-name free agent next summer.

One big kink in the plan is that Nowitzki won’t be playing with Elton Brand, Darren Collison, Dahntay Jones, Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo at the start of the season. The 34-year-old Nowitzki will likely miss at least the first 10 games after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

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