Mavericks Owner Trying to End Dantley’s Holdout

Though recently acquired Adrian Dantley still hasn’t joined the Dallas Mavericks, owner Donald Carter is trying to remain patient.

Carter flew to Washington Sunday night and met Dantley and his agent to discuss when the team’s newest player could join the Mavericks.

Carter and Dantley, along with Dantley’s agent, David Falk, were still meeting late Sunday night at a Washington hotel, where Carter went after flying in his private plane to the nation’s capital.

Carter refused to talk to the media after he arrived in Washington, but said earlier he hoped that after their meeting Dantley would return with him to Dallas on Carter’s plane.

“We’re his sixth team in the NBA and I can understand why he would want to meet with the owner of the new team he is going to play for,” Carter said.

Dantley, angered when the Detroit Pistons traded him to the Mavericks for Mark Aguirre and a 1991 draft pick, has missed two games since the trade Wednesday.

Dantley is losing $15,000 for each game he misses.

The Mavericks also have been hurt by injuries.

Guard Derek Harper has a knee injury and will not play in tonight’s game at San Antonio.

Center Bill Wennington has a sprained ankle and did not play in Saturday night’s 105-94 loss to the Houston Rockets.

Forward Sam Perkins is bothered by a sore kneecap, and Brad Davis played against the Rockets with a broken finger.

Rolando Blackman is playing with a splint on a broken finger.

Forward Roy Tarpley is undergoing treatment for drug abuse.

“We are hurting right now,” Dallas Coach John MacLeod said. “We need Dantley bad. I hope he gets here soon.”

Without Dantley, Dallas has no proven scorer in its front line.

Terry Tyler, who started in Aguirre’s small forward spot, scored only two points against the Rockets. Detlef Schrempf, coming off the bench, had 11 points.

The Mavericks, contending for one of the eight playoff spots in the Western Conference, are seventh, one game ahead of Portland and 1 1/2 games ahead of Denver.

Dallas plays at San Antonio tonight.