Nowitzki, Mavericks work out deal to keep veteran
Dirk Nowitzki has a deal with the Dallas Mavericks that sets him up to join Kobe Bryant as the only players to spend 20 seasons with one NBA franchise.
Nowitzki and the Mavericks have agreed on a twoyear, $10 million contract that carries a team option in the second season, a person with knowledge of the deal said Thursday on condition of anonymity because a deal hasn’t been announced.
The agreement is similar to the one the Mavs and Nowitzki reached last year, although for significantly less money. Last year’s contract was for two years and $50 million, and the club declined its option before free agency opened this year.
The 39-year-old Nowitzki is no longer the primary option for the Mavericks, so a $5 million deal is more in line with his role on a roster that has become significantly younger since the start of last season. The $25 million salary from a year ago was as much about Dallas paying Nowitzki for his loyalty, which included taking less money to help acquire free agents through the years.
Bryant retired following the 2015-16 season, his 20th with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was the fifth player to spend at least 20 years in the NBA.
Nowitzki doesn’t seem to have ruled out playing past the coming season.
Regardless of how much longer he plays, Nowitzki’s legacy is secure after leading the Mavericks to their only championship in 2011. The 7-foot German is also the only foreign-born player with 30,000 career points.
Clippers get Gallinari
The Los Angeles Clippers acquired forward Danilo Gallinari from Denver as part of a three-team trade that also involved Atlanta. In the swap, the Clippers sent Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone, cash considerations and a protected 2018 firstround pick to the Hawks. The Nuggets receive a 2019 second-round pick from Atlanta. The Nuggets made a splashy move in free agency by adding four-time All-Star Paul Millsap on a three-yeardeal worth $90 million.
Ellis waived by Pacers
Indiana waived backup guard Monta Ellis. Ellis has played the past two seasons in Indiana, averaging 11.3 points and 4.0 assists. But he lost his starting job last season. The NBA also announced that he would be suspended for the first five games next season for a violation of the league’s antidrug policy.
He had two years left on his original contract with the Pacers. By releasing the 12year veteran, Indiana saves about $9 million on the salary cap and won’t have to pay next season’s salary.
Spurs sign Gay
Veteran forward Rudy Gay, who averaged 18.7 points last season in Sacramento but was limited to 30 games before rupturing his left Achilles tendon in January and having surgery a few days later, has signed with San Antonio. Terms of the deal announced Thursday were not disclosed.
Olynyk joins Heat
Kelly Olynyk has agreed to sign a four-year deal worth in excess of $50 million with Miami. His agent Greg Lawrence confirmed the agreement after ESPN first reported it. Olynyk spent his first four NBA seasons with Boston until the Celtics renounced his rights to sign Gordon Hayward.
Bucks acquire Brown
Milwaukee acquired the rights to sign rookie Sterling Brown from the Philadelphia 76ers for cash considerations. Brown, a fouryear player at SMU, was the 46th overall selection in last month’s NBA draft.
Grizzlies to retire Randolph’s number
Memphis is planning to retire the No. 50 jersey worn by Zach Randolph, who is leaving the team after eight seasons to sign with the Sacramento Kings. In a tweet on the Grizzlies’ official account, majority owner Robert Pera says that No. 50 “will never be worn by another member of the Memphis Grizzlies.”