DALLAS, Nov. 6 -- The Dallas Mavericks Monday removed trouble- prone forward Roy Tarpley from the suspended list and placed him on the injured list. That means the Mavericks will continue to pay Tarpley, who they had hoped to waive after he developed what was believed by doctors to be a pancreas infection during the summer. Tarpley, who has yet to take a physical for the Mavericks, underwent tests at the Aerobics Fitness Center before the move was made. 'Roy took conditioning tests, including the oxygen consumption test, said Mavericks president and general manager Norm Sonju. 'Now they have established a bench mark to measure Roy's fitness level. 'We have more information than we had last week. On that basis, we're moving Roy to the injured list where he will remain under doctor's care. He will continue to work out under the direction of doctors and (strength and conditioning coach) Bob King. 'Roy will not be turned over to the basketball staff until his conditioning level is such that he is ready to play skilled basketball.' When Tarpley reported for his physical prior to training camp on Oct. 4, he was found to be seriously ill. While Mavericks officials and doctors are limited in what information can be released about a player's non-basketball related medical condition, Tarpley acknowledged his illness to be related to his pancreas. His contract with the Mavericks allows Dallas to remove him from the team even if he develops an illness not related to basketball.
Tarpley missed 27 games due to injuries last year and had several confrontations with coach Dick Motta. He averaged 12.6 points and 8.2 rebounds in 55 games. Tarpley was dismissed from the NBA in 1991 for violating the league's anti-drug agreement. He was reinstated before the 1994-95 season and signed a six-year contract worth $24 million.