The Mavericks and Rick Carlisle are nearing a deal as they hold advanced discussions about what would be a five-year extension, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Carlisle’s contract status beyond this season has been up in the air. Carlislesigned a four-year deal before the 2012/13 season, though at least one report at the time indicated that it included a team option for 2016/17. In any case, the sides have yet to resolve Carlisle’s contractual future with the Mavericks beyond this coming June, even though owner Mark Cuban said a few weeks ago that he and Carlisle shared interest in continuing their partnership for the long term. Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said this past spring that Carlisle could remain with Dallas as long as he wanted to, Stein points out.
