Jameer Nelson signed with the Mavericks last summer, surely hoping to join a contender.
Nelson surprisngly won the starting job, and Dallas started 19-8. Its offense scored at an all-time great clip with Nelson on the floor.
But the Mavericks traded Nelson for Rajon Rondo, and the Celtics flipped Nelson to the Nuggets.
A season that began starting for top team ended with Nelson playing a limited role on an also-ran.
So, he’s going try free agency again.
Nelson might not get the $2,854,940 he would’ve made next season by opting in.
He’s a solid backup, but at age 33, slippage is showing. He can make jumpers and pass reasonably well, but he’s a defensive liability. Rebuilding teams won’t have much interest, and contenders might not allocate much money for him. The league is flooded with point guards right now.
Nelson’s minimum salary is $1,499,187, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he has to settle for that. It also wouldn’t be surprising if he gets around the amount he was due.
This is a financial risk for Nelson. But at least he’ll get to pick his team – until Dec. 15, when players who signed the previous summer can be traded, as he knows all too well.