No word yet on Caron Butler

No word yet on the status of Dallas Mavericks small forward Caron Butler.

The nine-year veteran underwent an MRI on Monday so team doctors could determine the severity of a right knee Butler injured during Saturday's game at Milwaukee. It is feared that Butler partially tore the patella tendon in his right knee.

But the Mavs have to nervously wait until the results come in.

"We hope to find out today,'' said Donnie Nelson, the president of basketball operations for the Mavs. "But now it's looking like it's probably going to be tomorrow.''

To compensate for Butler’s absence, in Sunday’s game at Cleveland, DeShawn Stevenson moved from his shooting guard spot to start at small forward, and Jason Terry went from his spot off the bench to start at shooting guard. Meanwhile, Shawn Marion switched from his role as the backup power and small forward to starting at power forward in place of the injured Dirk Nowitzki.

In order to help alleviate some of the pain from Butler’s departure, the Mavs promoted Dominique Jones from the D-League in time for the game against Cleveland, and he responded with nine points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 21 minutes. Butler’s injury also could accelerate the activation of guard Rodrigue (Roddy B) Beaubois, who hasn’t played this season after undergoing foot surgery.

In addition, if Butler is lost for the rest of this season, don't be surprised if the Mavs contact Denver and see what it’ll take to pry disgruntled small forward Carmelo Anthony – he will become a free agent this summer -- away from the Nuggets.

For Butler, his injury couldn’t have come at a worst time. Butler becomes a free agent on July 1 and was poised to hit the NBA jackpot again after earning $10.56 million this season in the final year of a five-year, $45 million deal.

Now, Butler, who turns 31 on Mar. 13, may face some uncertainties the rest of this season and this summer, while the Mavs attempt to get their championship train back on track.