Mavericks plan to have Nowitzki for 20th season
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[June 26, 2017]
The Sports Xchange
Dirk Nowitzki's $25 million contract
option for next season will not be renewed, but ESPN reported Sunday
that the Dallas Mavericks plan to re-sign him to a restructured deal
in July.
The 39-year-old signed a two-year, $50 million contract before last
season, but his production fell off in 2016-17 as he battled
injuries and the Mavericks finished 33-49, which was their worst
record since Nowitzki came into the NBA as a rookie 19 years ago and
also the worst in Mark Cuban's 17 years as owner.
Nowitzki averaged 14.2 points this season, his lowest since his
rookie campaign (8.2). His career mark is 21.7.
A new contract will allow the Mavericks more flexibility in free
agency during the summer as Cuban attempts to make the team more
competitive.
The 2017-18 season will be Nowitzki's 20th with the Mavericks, which
would equal Kobe Bryant's NBA longevity record with one team. Bryant
spent 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring.
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The deadline is Thursday for the Mavericks to inform the NBA of
their intentions with the 6-foot-11 forward. ESPN reported that
Nowitzki could sign another two-year deal but that the Mavericks
will work with the future Hall of Famer on a contract of his liking.
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Nowitzki was slowed by an Achilles injury last season
and Mavericks dug a hole with a 4-17 start that they were unable to
escape. The highlight for Nowitzki was reaching 30,000 career
points. He is now No. 6 on the NBA all-time scoring list with 30,260
points.
According to ESPN, the Mavericks aren't planning to pursue big-name
free agents. Their priority is to re-sign free agent center Nerlens
Noel and build around a young core group that includes Harrison
Barnes, Seth Curry and 2017 draft pick Dennis Smith Jr.
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"At the end of the day, I just can't imagine myself in a different
uniform," Nowitzki said at the end of last season. "If we're
rebuilding, then I'm the face of that."
Nowitzki and the Mavericks won the NBA championship in 2011 but have
missed the playoffs the past two seasons and have only played in the
postseason twice since winning the title.
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