Dirk Nowitzki may have two years of NBA basketball left in him.
Hell, he may have three.
The 37-year-old big man, who turns 38 on June 19, can opt out of the last year of his current pact and sign a new one in free agency. Most expected him to opt in. But, in recent weeks, he’s made it clear he intends to become a free agent.
If and when he does, he won’t look for another one-year contract at a steep discount or raise. He, it seems, plans to sign a multiyear deal, per Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News:
But his contract status was front and center and he said he is leaning toward opting out of his contract and signing a new two- or three-year deal.
It’s not set yet. But that’s his feeling.“Haven’t decided 100 percent, but I’ve met with Donnie (Nelson) and I just met with Mark (Cuban) once I came back from vacation just seeing what the next few years could bring for this franchise, who’s available, what’s best for both sides,” Nowitzki said. “Since I felt great and played sort of decent, I might opt out and maybe sign a two- or three-year deal. We’ll see how it goes, but that’s probably the plan for now.”
Another two to three years of Nowitzki is a good thing, both for the Dallas Mavericks and fans of competitive basketball.
Nowitzki isn’t the megastar he once was, but he remains Dallas’ most consistent scorer. He is still shooting an efficient clip from the floor, including three-point range, and he continues to work well as self-sufficient scorer or spot-up weapon.
His defense can be damaging, but that’s always been the case. He will probably see more time at center in the coming years anyway, so that he won’t have to defend the new era of playmaking 4s as much.
Regardless, more Dirk is a good thing, if only because Kobe Bryant already left, and Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett aren’t far behind. It’ll be nice to have Nowitzki around for another two or three years.
