Report: Mavs to decline Dirk Nowitzki's option with plans to re-sign him to new deal

This appears to be a move that will give Dallas some cap flexibility

Dirk Nowitzki is a Mavericks legend. He's been in the NBA, and with Dallas, for so long that it feels like he can get whatever he wants. Which is why it's surprising that, this late in his career, the final year of his contract was a team option. 

According to Marc Stein, Dallas informed Nowitzki that they will decline his $25 million player option which will make him a free agent. However, the Mavericks plan to re-sign him later. The expectation is that it will be a two-year contract where he will make the same amount of money but over a longer period of time.

League sources say Dallas has informed Dirk Nowitzki that it will decline his $25 million option for next season to sign him to a new deal.

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 25, 2017

League sources say that a new two-year deal for Nowitzki is among the options being strongly considered. Full story goes online momentarily

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 25, 2017

This is a move more teams are beginning to pull out with the salary cap space rising. By declining Nowitzki's option the Mavericks enter the offseason with more cap space to make a run at free agents. They can then give him the $25 million he was supposed to make next season over the course of two seasons. The veteran gets their money while the team has space.

If Nowitzki is really willing to sign a two-year contract, then this could mean he intends to play two more seasons. The 39-year-old now is entering his 20th season in the NBA and with every passing season he's noticeably older, but still good enough to play at a high level. If he believes that he can continue that level of play for two more seasons then more power to him.