The Dallas Mavericks are nearing a deal to re-sign unrestricted free agent power forward Dirk Nowitzki to a contract worth $10 million over two years.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN broke the news Thursday afternoon:
Sources: The Mavs are in the process of finalizing a two-year, $10 million deal with Dirk Nowitzki. The second season will be a team option.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 6, 2017
Dirk Nowitzki Agrees to Two-Year Contract With Dallas Mavericks
Nowitzki’s contract will take him through the end of the 2018-19 season. There is a team option for the second year, meaning that Dallas could choose to let Nowitzki become a free agent again next summer, either because he will retire or so that he can re-sign on different terms.
Nowitzki averaged 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game last season for the Mavericks. It doesn’t take a basketball junkie to realize how much this man has meant for the globalization of the NBA. He’s been a trailblazer in this league from the beginning, as the German brought the term “stretch-four” to the mainstream. At this point in his storied career, Nowitzki is an invaluable mentor for youngsters. He can still score efficiently in screen-and-roll scenarios on the catch, but his days are obviously numbered in terms of the post presence he once had.
Going forward, Nowitzki will have flashback moments for Dallas. He is one of the craftiest scorers in the history of the NBA, so he will get his share of buckets when he is on the floor. Unfortunately, Father Time is undefeated. He only played in 54 games last season, which is the lowest number since his rookie campaign. The Mavericks will hope that Nowitzki can stay healthy so he can help them contend for a playoff spot in the 2017-18 season.
Nowitzki is going into his 20th season in the NBA, during which he’ll be 39 years old. He has played exclusively for the Mavericks since being drafted ninth overall in 1998 by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks then traded Nowitzki to Dallas on draft night, and the rest was history.
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Main Photo:
DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 26: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during a basketball match on December 26, 2014 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bilgin Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
