There is strong mutual interest in Vince Carter's return to the Mavericks, but several playoff teams are expected to express interest in the 37-year-old swingman.

The Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Toronto Raptors are among the playoff teams seen as potential fits for Carter, a source said.

Carter, who averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 24.4 minutes per game last season, would be an asset to any contender after proving the last two seasons that he could excel as a sixth man and embrace a role as a leader of the bench. Carter, ranked 25th on the NBA's all-time scoring list, the rare reserve who is a threat as a creator and shoots well enough (39.4 percent from 3-point range last season) to space the floor for his team’s top scorers.

Carter, once criticized for being overpaid, was widely considered one of the league’s best bargains during his Dallas tenure after signing a three-year, $9.3 million deal.