Report: Nowitzki takes a massive discount, accepts 3-year, $25 million deal with Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki really wants his Dallas Mavericks to win a second title in the near future, and he has reportedly left millions on the table to make it happen.
ESPN sources say Dirk Nowitzki has taken bigger pay cut than previously thought. Deal finalized today at three years, $25 mil for Mavs lifer
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 15, 2014
There is no option in Dirk Nowitzki's three-year, $25 million deal, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 15, 2014
Earlier reports indicated that Dirk was taking a paycut to get to something near $10 million per season, but this latest figure is even lower, averaging out to just over $8 million.
In part, Dirk was in a position to accept less money. The Mavericks have paid Dirk over $200 million over his career, which lessens the impact of a spare million here or there.
However, Dirk's sacrifice is made even more impressive considering the fact that he reportedly had max offers (worth over $20 million per season) on the table from both the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.
His average salary puts him in the company of Channing Frye and Trevor Ariza in terms of deals inked this offseason.
Taking less money allows for more flexibility for Dallas to sign free-agents. Thus far, they have netted a significant name in Chandler Parsons, who took a three-year, $46 million deal.