Dallas Mavericks near deal with PG Lin

Linsanity could soon return to Texas.

The Dallas Mavericks were near a deal Monday that would bring point guard Jeremy Lin back to the state after playing for the Los Angeles Lakers last season. The Lakers landed Lin last summer in a trade with the Houston Rockets, who parted with a high draft pick to convince the Lakers to accept Lin's salary in return.

Lin is a free agent open to a sign-and-trade move to join the Mavericks. Dallas has been busy in the first six days of free agency, signing center DeAndre Jordan and shooting guard Wesley Matthews to help offset the free-agent loss of center Tyson Chandler and scoring guard Monta Ellis.

The point guard spot is available for the Mavericks because of the offseason subtraction of free agent Rajon Rondo. He clashed with coach Rick Carlisle and was not re-signed, choosing instead to join the Sacramento Kings on a one-year deal.