The Mavericks will decline their $25MM option on Dirk Nowitzki for next season and work out a new contract, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
The team is considering a two-year deal for the veteran forward, although one source tells Stein that Dallas will do “what Dirk wants.” He has previously indicated that he wants to continue his NBA career on a year-by-year basis.
Nowitzki signed a two-year deal last summer worth $50MM that contained a team option for 2017/18. Turning down that option will give Dallas more financial flexibility when free agency starts on Saturday.
The move leaves Dallas with $64.4MM in guaranteed contracts for next season, along with $55MM in cap holds for Nowitzki and Nerlens Noel, tweets Bobby Marks of The Vertical. The team could have as much as $21MM to work with, but only if Nowitzki agrees to take the $4.3MM room mid-level exception (Twitter link).
Sources tell Stein that Dallas plans to re-sign Noel and focus on its young core and won’t pursue Pelicans free agent Jrue Holiday, who has been linked to the team in past rumors.
Nowitzki has played 19 NBA seasons, all in Dallas. He remained productive this year, averaging 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in 54 games after returning from an early-season Achilles injury.
Real legend here, clutch also(2011).
Honest question….is he worth 25 mil a year anymore? I get loyalty and his experience and knowledge to the younger players, but if you were a GM, would you give Dirk 25 mil a year for his current stats?
That’s why the story points out that they are declining the option worth that amount.
But if I were Mark Cuban and after I resign all the young talent and whatever free agents I can, I give Dirk however much he wants. Dirk put up with his almost Lavar-like antics and stayed loyal to the organization when he could have left several times. He took less when is play was worth more so they could get better talent on the team too. That kind of loyalty is hard to find.
No but its not like they are competing any way. I felt the same way about Kobe
I don’t think the numbers are worth the type of money that he is receiving, but I think the culture he helps to establish in Dallas helps justify the contract. I think they are also trying to not only take care of their dude but show the rest of the league what a great organization the Mavericks are to play for. Just guessing, but I like what they are doing.
Exactly. It gives other players incentive to come and stay and work hard. It’s also the right way to treat a future hall of famer.
And Dirk has made his share of sacrifices for the team too. He might not be worth 20 now but he took paycuts in his prime to make things work.
I would not give him all that money, Mark has always been loyal to Dirk but man he should sit back and think this one out. With that 25 mill he could go and get Blake Griffin.
Imagine
Dennis Smith Jr
Wesley Matthews
Harrison Barnes
Blake Griffin
Nerlens Noel
Is that lineup supposed to be scary?
I mean this coach is coached by Rick Carlisle the man who beat the Miami Heat 2011. Dennis Smith Jr was a top 5 talent in the draft, his stock just dropped because some people feel he gets selfish during games but the dude has the talent to be a Baron Davis in the NBA, Wesley Matthews is a good shooting guard and 2 way player, Harrison Barnes keeps getting better and better, and of course Noel’s potential is through the roof, he has not really got an opportunity to showcase himself. Carlisle gets the best out of his players, he would do wonders for Blake Griffin, honestly Rivers is an overrated coach.
Lol bro stop living in a fantasy world. Wes Matthews is washed up, Blake Griffin is always hurt, DSJ is a rookie coming from a crap college team, and max contract player Harrison Barnes effective field goal % went down for the second straight season. Lol
It would be a interesting lineup to see just saying.
This line up isn’t that different, you just switched dirk for Griffen
By giving him 25 million last year instead of spending the extra 10-15 on a player that would improve the team marginally,they can now give him 5-10 million this year and be able to pursue a player this year that might get them in the playoffs. They might save the money for Seth next year too.
Dirk signed this contract last offseason when they struck out on all the free agents they met with(Conley, Batum, etc.), because they had money available and felt like they owed it to him
Noel is horrible. He is a terrible use of resources. I’m surprised they haven’t realized that.
I think he might improve being on a team with a great coach and a franchise that didn’t spend 10 lottery picks on big men.