"Caron Butler has not been cleared for contact, but he appears to have a shot to contribute to the Dallas Mavericks if they reach the second round.

The next step will be getting cleared for contact work, which could happen in the next week or two.

Butler has maintained that he would be ready to help the Mavericks by the second round of the playoffs. It's looking as if he might make good on that pledge.

The small forward suffered a torn patella tendon in his right knee at Milwaukee on Jan. 1."