Via: Dallas News

League tampering rules prohibit teams from contacting or talking about another team’s personnel, but an NBA source said Detroit’s Flip Saunders is believed to be a coach the Mavericks would have interest in should he part ways with the Pistons after the team’s playoff run.

That’s a step up from the Minnesota Golden Gophers. So, the Pistons continued success in the postseason keeps Flip from becoming Mark Cuban’s puppet. Anyhow, it’s gotta feel good for Flip to have his name to come up for a high-profile gig after all the bashings he takes when the ‘Stonz underwhelm the fans.

But then again…

If the Mavs had waited on Flip Saunders, only to find out that he wouldn’t end up being freed by Detroit, they might have lost out on “sure thing’’ Rick Carlisle. DallasBasketball.com learned late Friday that Carlisle will be the Mavs’ next head coach, and the dynamics involved in the availability of those two candidates is a primary reason why.

“It’s safe to say it’s going to happen,’’ a source told us late Friday. “Rick’s the guy.’’

Rick Carlisle is not the perfect pick. The Mavs know that.

This is not “Mr. Right.’’ This is “Mr. Right Now.’’