Mark Cuban Expects Dirk Nowitzki To Remain And Finish Career With Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowitzki already revealed his plan to become a free agent after the season, but team owner Mark Cuban is confident that the German forward will finish his career with the Mavs.
In an interview with Dwain Price of Star-Telegram, Cuban confidently said that he expects a smooth-sailing negotiation between the team and Nowitzki next summer, pointing out that 35-year-old power forward has a good relationship with the Mavericks organization.
"We'll just sit down and we decide," Cuban said. "We've been doing this for 14 years, so I don't expect the drill to change. I've delivered on what I've promised, so we've got a good relationship."
Nowitzki, who has spent his entire 16-year NBA career in Dallas, is playing in the final year of his contract that pays him $22.7 million.
The 11-time All-Star previously signed a four-year deal worth $80 million in 2010. According to Cuban, the four-year deal is considered a bargain deal based on the amount involved in the contract.
While he knows that the decision is still in Nowitzki's hands, Cuban, who is expecting another bargain deal next summer, vowed that the team will do anything possible to keep Nowitzki in Dallas for the rest of his career.
On Monday, shortly after Kobe Bryant signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, Nowitzki told the Star-Telegram that he is planning to become a free agent after the season, but he vowed to play all out this season and think about his future once the season is over.
Nowitzki could stilll get a contract near his current salary, but the 2007 Most Valuable Player made it clear that he is more interested in winning another title than the amount of salary he will receive in the remaining years of his playing career.
"To me I want to go back to the playoffs with this team, we have a real shot at it and that's really what I'm focused on," Nowitzki said. "I'm not really worried about any extensions at this point."