Tim Thomas not returning to Mavericks

            Tim Thomas has decided not to return to the Mavericks
because of the situation with his ailing wife.
            Her condition, which Thomas and his family
prefers to keep private, forced the 6-10 forward to stay with her much of last
season. He played with the Mavericks for the first half of the season,
averaging 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 18 games. But he left the team in
January – with the Mavericks’ blessing – to care for his
wife.
            Thomas said in March that if his wife’s
situation improved, he wanted to return to the NBA and play for the Mavericks.
            His agent, Bob Myers, said Tuesday that Thomas
would not be rejoining the Mavericks. It is believed that Thomas may be leaning
toward retirement after a 13-year career.