Report: Mavs decline Nowitzki's option, new contract expected in July
The Dallas Mavericks have declined Dirk Nowitzki's $5-million team option Friday, thereby making him an unrestricted free agent, sources told the New York Times' Marc Stein.
This doesn't mean the 13-time All-Star's days in the Lone Star State are over, though, as the decision to not pick up the option was reportedly mutual. Dallas is expected to ink Nowitzki to a new contract at some point in July after the initial wave of major signings across the Association is through.
This move frees up even more cap space in free agency for the Mavericks, who are reportedly the front-runners to land center DeAndre Jordan after he opted out of his $24.1-million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Should Nowitzki remain in Dallas for a 21st season, he will set an NBA record for most consecutive years spent with a single organization. The 40-year-old forward is currently the Mavericks' all-time leader in nearly every statistical category outside of assists and steals (Derek Harper), and is 233 points away from passing Wilt Chamberlain for fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
He averaged 12 points and 5.7 rebounds while converting 40.9 percent of his 3-point attempts last season for the 24-win Mavericks.