Mavericks' Felton to start suspension Monday, eligible to return Nov. 24

As expected, Dallas Mavericks point guard Raymond Felton will begin serving a four-game suspension on Monday when the team takes on the Charlotte Hornets.

Felton was issued the suspension after pleading guilty to gun possession charges during the offseason but had been unable to serve his time due to a high right ankle sprain. The league does not allow injured players to serve suspension time, and so Felton missing the first 10 games of the season with injury means he'll miss 14 in total before making his Mavericks debut.

That debut can come on Nov. 24 against the Indiana Pacers, though it's unclear where Felton will figure into the rotation. 

Jameer Nelson has been decent as the starting point guard, and while Felton would allow the team to play at a faster pace, the team's offense has been terrific as is. Devin Harris has provided excellent defense as the primary backup, and J.J. Barea has brought a scoring spark off the bench. Felton may face an uphill climb to earn a spot in head coach Rick Carlisle's pecking order.

Last season with the New York Knicks, Felton averaged 9.7 points and 5.6 assists in 31 minutes, the scoring rate marking the lowest of his nine-year career.