Rick Carlisle Out As Mavericks Coach

Rick Carlisle is out after 13 years as Mavericks coach, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The 2011 NBA champion coach released the following statement to ESPN:

"After a number of in-person conversations with Mark Cuban over the last week, today I informed him that I will not be returning as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. This was solely my decision. My family and I have had an amazing 13-year experience working with great people in a great city. It has been an honor to work alongside Mark, Cynt, Donnie, Fin, Keith, Dirk, JKidd, and every player and assistant coach I've had here. Dallas will always be home, but I am excited about the next chapter of my coaching career."

Trouble in Dallas?

This news dropped less than 24 hours after the dismissal of GM Donnie Nelson. That said, is it possible Rick Carlisle had enough after Nelson took the fall for the Mavericks early postseason exit?

What's most telling is how he concluded his exit letter: "but I am excited about the next chapter of my coaching career." He's not done coaching, which means he could be eyeing a partnership in Portland to coach Damian Lillard.

We'll see where Rick Carlisle ends up because we know his pedigree will certainly land him a job this upcoming offseason.