"That turned into a headline that said: 'Bogut wants out,' which is false. But obviously if they can get some picks back and build for the future by trading a few of their veteran guys, I could be one of them. "Now, emphasis on 'could.' I'm not saying I've gone in and asked for a trade, which I haven't. But I also haven't gone to management and begged them not to trade me. I'm just waiting to see what happens. There's some personal reasons for why I'd like to stay here, which people don't know." Bogut sparked this conversation after he did a radio interview in Australia. That interview turned into a headline in his homeland. He has value around the NBA for teams that are contenders - either for the title or to make the playoffs - because he is in the final year of his contract. He could be a nice 40-game rental for some team without tying up future salary-cap space. That's also why he's valuable in Dallas, but if the Mavericks could get a first-round pick or more for Bogut, they certainly would have to consider it, unless they reverse fortunes and feel they have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs.

It makes for interesting speculation going into the six weeks before the February 23 trade deadline. Asked if he could see any scenario in which he's a Maverick next season, Bogut said: "No. If you're asking me today and I had to put my house on it, I'd say no just because if there was an opportunity for me to come back, there would have been at least extension talks, which I'm not bitter about. "I'm not mad about. That's just the reality of it. It's the writing on the wall. "The Mavs eventually have to start rebuilding. There's no point bringing back a 33-year-old centre if you're in rebuild mode. It's been a disappointing year for everybody, myself included. But it's one of those things. "I very much highly doubt I'll be back here next season just because I'm an expiring contract and I'm a free agent. I just don't see it."

Bogut did not want to discuss the personal reasons why he would like to stay with the Mavericks. He also said that a buyout of the remainder of his $US11 million ($15 million) salary this season is not likely. But a trade remains a distinct possibility. "I have not asked to be traded," Bogut said. "Do I want to be traded? If there's an opportunity to go somewhere and they want to do it, I'm not going to beg them to not trade me. But I have not gone to the office and asked for a trade. It's been a tough season for everybody, but it's far from the truth that I've gone to management and asked for a trade." The Mavericks have had internal discussions about bringing Bogut back at a sensible price tag next season. But the franchise philosophy is to address those situations in the offseason. Rick Carlisle said he could easily envision Bogut as a Maverick next season.

"He's one of our best players, one of our most productive players," Carlisle said. "My conversations with Donnie about it, we've talked about re-signing him as a real possibility. I'm not sure about any of that kind of stuff. But I know the kind of impact he has on our team. "I don't know what's going to happen. But it's a dynamic business. I'm not certain what's going to happen. But I've had some good talks with him recently. And I know he likes it here. "And my understanding is was that he did not want to be traded. But we're all big boys and we've all been in this a long time. Part of the business is trades do happen. But I don't know anything about any trades." McClatchy Newspapers