Posted by Art Garcia
Dirk Nowitzki is off the market, though no one really thought the Mavericks’ franchise stud was ever leaving Dallas. ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported Saturday night that Nowitzki agreed to new four-year contract worth at least $80 million and including a no-trade clause.
Nowitzki was eligible to receive up to $96 million. By taking less, Nowitzki conceivably allows free-spending owner Mark Cuban added flexibility in improving the roster this summer. The Mavericks front office privately hoped Nowitzki would be agreeable to such a deal, as Dallas hopes land another marquee free agent through a sign-and-trade.
Nowitzki can sign the new deal as early as Thursday.
Nowitzki’s first foray into free agency after 12 years in the league took several twists and turns, mostly involving travel plans, before negotiations heated up Friday in Dallas. General manager Donnie Nelson first met with Nowitzki’s longtime advisor Holger Geschwindner to present the initial offer. Cuban and Nowitzki soon entered into the discussions to hammer out the agreement, ESPN.com reported.
Team officials repeatedly said locking Nowitzki up was critical if Dallas was to have any shot of adding another big gun. The Mavs had their eye on the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson, though little evidence suggests either is a realistic target at this point.
Upgrading around the nucleus of Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and Jason Terry remains a priority. Caron Butler, the key to February’s trade-deadline blockbuster, is also under contract next season, though the swingman is potential trade bait. The center position is also unresolved with Brendan Haywood a free agent and Erick Dampier another probable trade piece. The Mavs are also high on second-year guard Roddy Beaubois.
The Mavericks claimed not to have a backup plan if Nowitzki walked, and it was obvious they didn’t need one. Unlike several of his free agent peers, Nowitzki didn’t schedule multiple meetings with potential suitors over the last few days. His intention has always been to remain with the only franchise he’s ever played for. All indications are that Nowitzki didn’t field an offer from any team other than Dallas.
[...] but no deal is done … yetDallas Morning Newsmsnbc.com -Fort Worth Star Telegram -NBA.com (blog)all 985 news [...]
We knew he was staying… I couldn’t imagine him leaving after all the mark cuban and the organization did for him. They have been trying to win an NBA championship and they have also been adding peices to make it happen. They just got unlucky this year. I hope Dirk gets a ring.. I know i am out of place for saying he deserves one but i really hope he gets a ring in his career.
Is anyone surprised? Dirk wasn’t going anywhere, nor was Paul Pierce. Both players have unique specialized talents that fit perfectly into the system that bred them. If Lebron stays home also then this will be the most over hyped free agency in years! Part of the over hype is the fault of the press and the other factor is the growth of so-called ‘fan fantasy leagues’.
People are getting the most unrealistic ideas in their heads as too how free agency works, the salary cap and what any team would actually trade for or spend for. This is not a statistical trading game, this is a real time, real money and real team event. A time where a whole team or franchise can make (Lakers/Gasol, Celtics/Garnet) or break (Detroit/any pick, Alan Iverson/any team) themselves. It is also a time where panic begins to creep in and common sense goes out the window.
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Hope that they can get another high quality player to help Dirk and co. But I’d prefer if they include terry as trading bait and keep butler instead.
Dirk won’t leave… he’s a one man Franchise player unlike Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson to name a few
The Mavericks have been doing a good job giving Dirk players around him that can make the team contend for a title every year. Garnett stayed in Minnesota for a very long time, but the organization started “rebuilding” mode. Since Garnett was getting older and wanted an oppurtunity to win he asked to be traded. I hope you learned something Roy
Excellent decison to resign Dirk , but they need to sign another shooter and an offensive center in order to go to the finals. That’ s a must for this year.
Angel Torres
NICE NICE..NOW MAVS WILL GET OTHER OFENSIVE PLAYER…
SIGN AMARE + NASH
TRADE TERRY FOR NASH
DIRK AND NASH ARE CLSD FRND THEN ADDING AMARE WOULD GREAT..
Thanks for linking up with my blog on this story, much appreciated – even if it says I was only automatically generated. I’ll take it!
(www.FreshPrinceOfTheBlog.com)
Dirk you’ve got a good decision to stay… Hope you can a Championship sooner…
Dirk is consistent in all his game.. He need a partner who can add more score…
Dallas Team Get More Defensive and you will become a CHAMPION
Yeah.DIRK.always my favorite player!
Dallas NEEDS Nash and Dirk together!
As others have said, couldn’t see Dirk leaving the Mavs. All that needs to happen is to add another 1 or 2 good quality players to help outfit the team. It would be nice to see another team win a championship ring that the usual.
GO.dirk. we all love you.CHAMPION!!!!!
Nice decision for Dallas management to retain Dirk.
Now, what Mavs really need is a DOMINANT CENTER. Dampier is useless. He can’t score nor he can’t contain the big guys from the opposing teams. To make Dallas a champion, let Nowitzki play the number 3 position. Get a power forward from the Free Agent Market. Dirk is not good playing the number 4 position especially on defense and rebounds. Let him play the Small Forward Position please. And here you can smell the trophy.
Dallas has a great line up.
PG – Kidd
SG – Butler
SF – Nowitzki, Marion
PF – Missing Piece ***
Center – Haywood and (trade Dampier)