NBA News Roundup, Wednesday, May 1st: Dallas Mavericks targeting All-Star duo, Gregg Popovich to extend Spurs stay and more

The 2019 NBA Playoffs are currently the talk of the basketball world, although there is no shortage of other stories emerging from around the league.

Teams are preparing for the upcoming NBA draft, and a number of the league's leading stars are also about to hit free agency in the coming weeks. So, with plenty going on around the league, here are all the news and rumors you need to know for May 1st.

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The Mavericks have major offseason plans

Kemba Walker's efforts were not enough to help the Hornets qualify for the playoffs

The Dallas Mavericks finished the 18/19 season with an underwhelming 33-49 record, however, the franchise believes that the pairing of Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic can help them to compete next year.

Dallas' prospects could even further improve, as Marc Stein of The New York Times is reporting that the Mavericks will look to add Kemba Walker and Khris Middleton during free-agency,

There has been no indication to date that the Mavericks will get a sniff from the Kevin Durant/Kawhi Leonard/Kyrie Irving tier of free agents. I likewise continue to believe that Golden State’s Klay Thompson is 100 percent staying put with the Warriors and will not consider external suitors.

But league sources say that the Mavericks intend to fling themselves into the chase for Khris Middleton and/or Kemba Walker with gusto in hopes that they have a shot at one of them. Wings with two-way ability figure to be another emphasis if Dallas is unsuccessful in pursuit of the big names.

Both Walker and Middleton were named as All-Star's thanks to their efforts during the regular season. Walker averaged 25.6 points, 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game; while Middleton put up 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest.

Gregg Popovich set for Spurs extension

Gregg Popovich will continue as the San Antonio Spurs' head coach

Gregg Popovich's existing five-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs came to an end after his side fell to a Game 7 loss to the Denver Nuggets, however, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the legendary coach will sign a new deal in the coming days,

Once Gregg Popovich formally commits to return for his 24th season as San Antonio Spurs coach, he's expected to sign a three-year contract that will keep him as the highest-paid coach in the NBA, league sources told ESPN.

A Popovich contract extension has been a foregone conclusion for months, but the deal won't change the fact that he will continue to take his coaching future year to year, league sources said. Spurs ownership believes he's entitled to manage his future the way he wants, sources said.

Under Popovich's helm, the Spurs have qualified for the postseason in 22 consecutive seasons, also winning five championships -- most recently in 2014.

Vince Carter to continue to play next season

Vince Carter enjoyed another productive season with the Atlanta Hawks

Carter signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with the Atlanta Hawks last summer, and during his 21st season in the league, the veteran continued to perform well. Carter averaged 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, also shooting 39% from beyond the arc.

At 42, a lot of fans around the league were questioning if the 8-time All-Star would return for another season, and Carter recently told The Ringer's "Winging It" podcast that he wants to extend his stay in the NBA:

Yep, I'm coming back, bro. I'm coming back. I would like to (come back with the Atlanta Hawks). We'll see what happens

Carter is currently ranked 20th on the NBA's all-time scoring list, and he crossed the 25,000 point mark last season during the Hawks' loss to the Raptors.