Dallas Mavericks forward/center Dirk Nowitzki confirmed that he will opt out of the final season of his current contract with the team.
Nowitzki did reiterate his plan to remain in Dallas, so this isn't about to be a free agent bidding war. What this does mean, however, is that the Mavericks will now face some very real pressure to construct a winner around their most important player, and it's very possible that DIrk won't be as kind with a discount this time around after playing for far less than market value in each of the last two seasons. The third-year option Nowitzki is set to decline is worth approximately $8.7 million.
The 37-year-old Nowitzki has continued to defy aging. He averaged 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 31.5 minutes per game this season. He owned a 50.4 Effective Field Goal Percentage and ranked 42nd in the league with a 4.1 nERD.
Source: Rotoworld.com