THE SIDELINES : Dallas Wants to Trade Tarpley, Maybe to Clippers or Warriors

The Dallas Mavericks are seeking to trade suspended forward Roy Tarpley to another National Basketball Assn. team, a Ft. Worth newspaper reported today.

One team owner told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram that the Mavericks have had trade talks with the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers about Tarpley, who was suspended indefinitely by his substance abuse counselors after his arrest Nov. 15 on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

“I think (Mavericks owner) Donald Carter will take whatever steps are necessary to make things work,” said the owner, who was not named. “A lot of people would be interested in Roy.”

Mavericks General Manager Norm Sonju said that he has been in contact with Dr. David Lewis, director of the ASAP Family Treatment Center, concerning Tarpley, but that he does not know when Tarpley will be allowed to return to the team.

“It’s totally Dr. Lewis’ call,” Sonju told the Dallas Times Herald.

Tarpley is one strike away from a mandatory two-year suspension under provisions of the league’s anti-drug policy.

At the time of his suspension, he led the NBA in rebounds with 16.8 per game.