Source: Mavs will chase Luis Scola

Updated: July 12, 2012, 11:49 PM ET

By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com

The Dallas Mavericks have a backup plan if their bid for Elton Brand isn't enough to win.

Scola

A source says the Mavs are also prepared to aggressively bid on Luis Scola through the amnesty waivers process if they do not get Brand, a better defender and rebounder.

The 6-foot-9, 245-pound Scola, 32, averaged 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds last season for the Houston Rockets, who reportedly opted to use the amnesty provision to waive the remaining three years and $21 million on the forward's contract.

The winning bid on Scola will be prorated over the three remaining years on his contract. Brand, on the other hand, is entering the last season of his contract and would be off the books next summer.

That's a notable difference for the Mavericks, who need financial flexibility.