Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, from Germany, reacts after sinking a three-point shot late in the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Friday, April 9, 2010. Nowitzki scored 40 points as they beat the Blazers 83-77. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
AP
Dirk Nowitzki got what he wanted: A lot of money for the next four years, extending into the new collective bargaining agreement.
The Dallas Mavericks got what they wanted: Nowitzki to take a little less money, giving them some flexibility to bring in other players.
Saturday night, the Mavericks and Nowitzki agreed to terms on a four-year, $80 million contract, first reported by Marc Stein of ESPN. He can’t sign the deal until July 8, which is what he’ll do.
Nowitzki opted out only so that he could negotiate a new deal into the new CBA, which will be cutting the players off at the knees more restrictive. He never looked anywhere else, he was always going to remain a Maverick. It was just a matter of time and money.
Dallas has been very aggressive on the looking for sign-and-trade free agent market -- they have a good team and owner Mark Cuban believes them to be just one more piece away from title contention. Is that true? Depends on the piece, doesn’t it.