[sefant77]

I think this one need an own thread so it doesnt get lost in all the upcoming game threads and since it will end in several trade speculations.

Source confirms @ArtGarcia_NBA tweet: Symptoms indicate Caron Butler suffered at least partial tear of patella tendon. Could be season-ender

Caron Butler likely has tendon injury, source says


CLEVELAND - Early indications are that Mavericks' forward Caron Butler has at least a partial tear of the patella tendon in his right knee, although the full extent of the injury suffered Saturday night at Milwaukee will not be known until his doctor visit today, a source close to Butler said today.

Such an injury could jeopardize the rest of the season for Butler, or at least a major portion of it.

Butler stayed over in Milwaukee Saturday night and was due back in Dallas today to get a thorough examination and an MRI by team physician, Dr. T.O. Souryal.

Dominique Jones is likely to be recalled from the NBA Development League Texas Legends and could rejoin the team in Cleveland for tonight's game against the Cavaliers.

Butler, having a solid season and an extremely productive last month, hurt the knee when he took off for a rebound on a shot that Jason Kidd made. Before he came down from his jump, he already was grimacing and reaching for his knee.

In the delicate balance of an NBA season, this is an earthquake shaking the Mavericks' house. They had started strongly and had been placed alongside San Antonio , the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston and Miami as legitimate threats to challenge for the NBA title.

If Butler is lost, that status certainly will have to be re-evaluated. Butler had been evolving as the primary sidekick to Dirk Nowitzki and if he misses significant time, it means a shakeup with the Mavericks' rotation. It's not just a new starter at small forward, but the domino effect will put more strain on the Mavericks' depth.

--Eddie Sefko