Although they've frequently been cited as one of the potential landing spots for Monta Ellis, the Mavericks are esssentially out of the running for the free agent guard, according to GM Donnie Nelson (link via Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News). Sefko, seemingly passing along Nelson's thoughts, says the Mavs probably have too many bodies in the backcourt already to make Ellis a realistic possibility.
If the Mavs are truly out of the mix for Ellis, it appears to be "Andrew Bynum or bust" for the club, writes Sefko. Bynum met with the Mavs today, and Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio is hearing that the Cavs believe the big man may want to play in Dallas (Twitter link). But so far, the former Laker and Sixer has given no indication of which way he's leaning. As Amico notes (via Twitter), the Mavs likely aren't equipped with enough cap space to match Cleveland's offer, but perhaps they'd be willing to give Bynum more than a one-year guarantee.
The Kings and Hawks appear to be among the most likely destinations for Ellis if he doesn't end up in Dallas. As we heard earlier today, the 27-year-old will be negotiating this week without his longtime agent, after he parted ways with Jeff Fried.