The Evening News: Nowitzki willing to take pay-cut to ensure future success in Dallas; Teams looking at Noel with “double play” in mind; Mobley eyes comeback

Hello and welcome to the Evening News.

As the playoffs continue, we’ll keep you updated every evening. What’s happening today?

Here’s the latest news from around the league:

According to the Dallas Morning News, Dirk Nowitzki told  KRLD-FM 105.3 that he is willing to take a pay cut after his current contract runs out after next season.

“I got one year left on this deal and then I’m coming off the books. So if that helps for us to be better I’m going to take a paycut. That’s part of the pitch. Cuban and Donnie have got to be part of the pitch.”

Nowitzki’s Mavericks won the 2011 NBA title but have been largely disappointing since as they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 2012 and finished as the Western Conference’s 10th seed in 2013.

O.J. Mayo, the team’s second leading scorer behind Nowitzki, will likely opt-out of his player option for next season to test free agency. The Mavericks have identified re-signing Mayo as a top priority for the offseason. Still, Dirk Nowitzki has not ruled out hope that Dallas can make a run at either Dwight Howard or Chris Paul as well.

“We’d love to get one of those two,” said Nowitzki. “We’d love to get a player in here who can create his own shot and be a superstar-type player. It’s still a long way to go until July. Those guys need to clear their minds a little bit and get away and then start thinking what they want to do with their futures. Hopefully, that’s where we come in and put a great pitch out there and see what happens.”

Bobcats and Magic might try for “double play” in draft

Many fans expect the winner of the NBA lottery to be wary of drafting Nerlens Noel due to his torn ACL figuring to sideline him for most of the 2013-2014 season. Chad Ford of ESPN, however, believes that the injury might actually help Noel’s case for being the number one pick.

“I actually think that’s helping Noel’s case with teams like Orlando and Charlotte,” wrote Ford. “Going for the double-play.”

By this, Ford means that because there is not a consensus top pick in this year’s draft, it might make sense for a team to draft Noel and let him rehab all season. By doing this, the team would all but ensure themselves another high pick in the loaded draft of 2014.

According to most draft experts, Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart would all be strongly considered for the top pick in this year’s draft.  If the Magic or Bobcats can afford to endure another season of futility, drafting the injured Noel and accompanying him with one of those prospects might be the smartest play for the long haul.

Mobley eyes comeback to NBA

Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.com reports that Cuttino Mobley is hoping for a return to the NBA.

Mobley, 37, has not played in a game  in nearly five years. He was forced to retire from the league in 2008 after a physical with the Knicks revealed that he had a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Mobley’s ailment is the same one that tragically took the lives of both Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis in the early 1990s.

Mobley played eleven seasons in the NBA and averaged 16 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. He had his best season in 2001-2002 when he averaged 21.7 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting .395% from deep.

Mobley was a key player in the trades that sent Tracy McGrady to Houston in 2004 and Zach Randolph out of New York in 2008.

Mobley will be one of several former NBA players working out on May 31st for ASM Sports’ pro-day.