Sources: Nowitzki to opt out of contract

[TJ]

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=5210625

With the recent news of Amare most likely opting out himself, it may be a logical move to replace him with Dirk. He is still a great shooter, good rebounder, plays better defense and does not have as many mental lapses.

What makes me think that Phoenix would be a primary candidate for him is the relationship he has with Nash and the opportunity to thrive in this offense given he'd come in and be the primary scoring option the minute he steps on the floor.

He will be 32 at the beginning of the season so he is not exactly a spring chicken. But for about 3-4 years, he would be a productive replacement for Stoudemire.

Nowitzki is not my most favorite FA this Summer; however, bringing him in would mean we have an extra year or two of relevancy

Thoughts??

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I could see him coming here although I am unsure of the salary cap ramifications.

 

[mojorizen7]

No thanks.

 

[az1965]

We will be even softer

 

[hsandhu]

I don't see why dirk would come to the suns, it's pretty much a lateral move. Why not go to miami with dwade, or maybe even somewhere with lebron?

Plus it is pretty tough for the suns to do. After amare opts out, they would still have to shed another 10 million. If frye opts out and they can move barbosa, then yes it could be done.

 

[Hayduke]

Can't get much softer than Amare.
Not every ****ing all star FA is going to be able to team up w/ bron or wade. getting rid of frye and barbs would be perfect.

 

[slinslin]

Dirk isn't soft anymore. He is actually one of the better defenders at the 4 spot right now and more of a post-up player than a shooter.

 

[Goldfield]

I would take Dirk. He is much more dependable than Amare. Hate to see Amare go but think he is overrated.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't see why dirk would come to the suns, it's pretty much a lateral move. Why not go to miami with dwade, or maybe even somewhere with lebron?

I agree this would just be a lateral move.

 

[Lorenzo]

dirk's numbers over the last decade scoring are only second to kobe. his playoff numbers are elevated in comparison to his regular season numbers....and you have to consider that he has played in A LOT of playoff games. his defense isn't great but he is much better than he was when he came into the league. he isn't known for his athletic leaping ability which is why he doesn't block as many shots or posterize at the offense end as much(eventhough he can). his toughness and willing to improve is what turned him from a jump shooter with great athletic ability for a seven footer.. to one of the most unguardable post up players in the league(aside from kobe may be the most unguardable in the post).

I think one thing that people overlook with dirk is his toughness and competive nature as a pro. the crew were talking about this in last nights game with comparing vince carter and kobe bryant. Dirk always had great potential. But what made him great is that he worked his ass off(like nash/kobe/kidd etc) to be great. He spent countless hours outside of the court to improve his game and be the best at what he does. Dirk went from being a all star sidekick...to almost overnight becoming one of the game's select few franchise players when nash left(without having a legit super-star alongside him).

Dirk is one of the more humble guys away from the court....he and nash both are when it comes to basketball at least. And despite having 3 mvps between them I feel like they get slighted somewhat in the toughness department because they aren't as marketable as some of the LESSER players in the league. yes players who may be blessed with equal or greater talent, but aren't as mentally or physically tough. maybe he just doesn't have the look...idk?

 

[Lorenzo]

I have no doubt dirk will opt out if a deal isn't worked out soon. Why would he not? He can get a long term deal now on his own terms...rather than settling for a one year deal and playing with that huge ? on his head all next season which would be a distraction. It would almost be like a NFL player trying to avoid a franchise tag if he could. The mavericks are looking to workout a long term deal for him and I believe they will, while trying to add a big Free Agent if it is possible. Unlikely that they will land a free agent(other than re-signing dirk)...more likely you will see them make some type of trade this offseason. Dirk will not be dealt or let go unless the mavericks got one of the other huge names in free agency..which is unlikely. I know the goal for most of these teams with these free agent opt out situations is to keep their guy and get one of the other ones. So it will be interesting to see what happens. The teams without a lot of cap space like NY/NJ...suck and have for a while.. so it won't be as ideal as what people seem to think it will be if you ask me.

 

[elindholm]

If Nowitkzi decides that he needs to move on from Dallas -- maybe because that franchise seems doomed to fold in the playoffs every year -- then Phoenix is his best option.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I agree this would just be a lateral move.

Lateral move with the added benefit of even better chemistry with Nash/Dirk.

I'd welcome this change.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If Nowitkzi decides that he needs to move on from Dallas -- maybe because that franchise seems doomed to fold in the playoffs every year -- then Phoenix is his best option.

It's not like we are much better. Just sayin'.

 

[Lorenzo]

If Nowitkzi decides that he needs to move on from Dallas -- maybe because that franchise seems doomed to fold in the playoffs every year -- then Phoenix is his best option.

amare might be leaving phoenix for that very same reason. if dirk is leaving dallas because of playoff heartache....phoenix should be at the bottom of his list lol. Just look at stevey nash. Outside of finally proving his worth to the league and the national fans which led to him winning 2 mvp awards...what has he done in phoenix that he didn't do in dallas? outside of beating the spurs in the playoffs....not much. and steve had a better supporting cast in phoenix(particularly early on). winning a title is tough and elusive if you don't dominate in talent or have that elite coach/player combo like the great teams have had.

the funny thing about the nba is outside of a handfull of teams...you don't see very many championship banners. so if you don't join the lakers, celtics, spurs, etc, %'s are not in your favor. I do think though this is a crossroads for many teams in the league. what were the celtics like with only pierce(or the lakers with only kobe)? nothing...so if you can land a big player or two(like boston did a couple of years ago and LA did with gasol) then you can turn the tide extremely into your favor. you just have to be able to stoop the rest of the league in your attempt to do it. it's not easy.

 

[Chaplin]

amare might be leaving phoenix for that very same reason. if dirk is leaving dallas because of playoff heartache....phoenix should be at the bottom of his list lol. the funny thing about the nba is outside of a handfull of teams...you don't see very many championship banners. so if you don't join the lakers, celtics, spurs, etc, %'s are not in your favor. I do think though this is a crossroads for many teams in the league. what were the bulls without jordan? nothing...so if you can land a big player or two(like boston did a couple of years ago and LA did with gasol) then you can turn the tide extremely into your favor. you just have to be able to stoop the rest of the league in your attempt to do it. it's not easy.

With the exception of a couple years, Nowitzki's Dallas teams haven't gotten as far as Nash's Phoenix teams. I mean, they are a #2 seed and got bounced in the 1st round. Phoenix is playing in the Western Conference Finals.

 

[Lorenzo]

With the exception of a couple years, Nowitzki's Dallas teams haven't gotten as far as Nash's Phoenix teams. I mean, they are a #2 seed and got bounced in the 1st round. Phoenix is playing in the Western Conference Finals.

what does it matter? the mavericks had a 2-0 lead in the finals without nash before they blew it. dallas has had equal to better success without nash...nash has had equal to better success without dallas. dallas has been beaten by phoenix and they have also beaten phoenix. head to head the matchup has been close to 50/50 over that time with dallas probably holding the edge if anything at the end of the day.

neither side has a ring so it becomes a grade school spelling contest at best. who cares.

 

[elindholm]

It's not like we are much better. Just sayin'.

How much is "much"? Subtract Nowitzki from Dallas, subtract Stoudemire from Phoenix, I take Phoenix, and I don't think it's particularly close. Phoenix's ancient PG is better than Dallas's (Nash vs. Kidd), their primary scoring wing is better than Dallas's (Richardson vs. Butler), their defensive centers are close to a wash (Haywood vs. Lopez), and Phoenix's role players are better. There's a reason that the Suns posted a better record than Dallas in the second half of the season and have gotten so much farther in the playoffs. What makes the teams as close as they are is that Nowitzki does more for the Mavericks than Stoudemire does for the Suns.

 

[elindholm]

the mavericks had a 2-0 lead in the finals without nash.

But that's just it. The Mavericks have never recovered from that Finals. The Suns finally got over their years of misery at the hands of the Spurs; they're ready to move on. Dallas isn't.

 

[Lorenzo]

How much is "much"? Subtract Nowitzki from Dallas, subtract Stoudemire from Phoenix, I take Phoenix, and I don't think it's particularly close. Phoenix's ancient PG is better than Dallas's (Nash vs. Kidd), their primary scoring wing is better than Dallas's (Richardson vs. Butler), their defensive centers are close to a wash (Haywood vs. Lopez), and Phoenix's role players are better. There's a reason that the Suns posted a better record than Dallas in the second half of the season and have gotten so much farther in the playoffs. What makes the teams as close as they are is that Nowitzki does more for the Mavericks than Stoudemire does for the Suns.

I would have to agree with you. the suns have two elite players(top 15). the mavericks have one. that combined with guys on the mavericks being relied upon for key roles being past their prime or just simply not good enough. the mavs need to get another one of those top 15 guys playing next to dirk to give him a fighter's chance in the playoffs.

 

[Lorenzo]

But that's just it. The Mavericks have never recovered from that Finals. The Suns finally got over their years of misery at the hands of the Spurs; they're ready to move on. Dallas isn't.

Again I agree. the problem is cuban has tried to move on, but the moves that have been made haven't worked out. He has settled for guys that are either past their prime, and then stayed with guys who are not producing like they once were(terry/stackhouse/dampier/etc). I'm glad he finally pulled the plug on josh howard and stackhouse and hopefully he will on terry and those other guys. in 2004 cuban did a great job(the year we lost nash) of rebuilding in one year, the problem is those deals have expired in terms of worth in 2010. I don't like the harris trade, but what's done is done. I think the mavs have to keep dirk and blow the rest of the team up in a trade hoping for a top guy.

 

[az1965]

If Nowitkzi decides that he needs to move on from Dallas -- maybe because that franchise seems doomed to fold in the playoffs every year -- then Phoenix is his best option.

... best option to continue with a franchise that seems doomed to fold in the playoffs every year...

 

[elindholm]

... best option to continue with a franchise that seems doomed to fold in the playoffs every year...

I'd hardly call making the conference finals three times in six years folding.

 

[az1965]

I'd hardly call making the conference finals three times in six years folding.

This is absolutely folding. Not winning it all is folding when you have a team that could do it or was expected to do it. Heck, we could not even get to the NBA finals. At least Dirk and Mavs got to the NBA finals being WC champs...

 

[Lorenzo]

I'd hardly call making the conference finals three times in six years folding.

it depends how you word it. when you say the mavericks won the western conference without nash it sounds great. when you say they folded in the finals it doesn't sound so great.

the same can be said with the suns on the flip side. you can't say it one way for one and another way for the other. the suns missed the playoffs entirely last year, but would it have mattered if they lost to denver in 5 games in the 2nd round? moral victories are for suns/mavs fans. championships are for the lakers/spurs/celtics. I want what they have. If dirk wants that he needs to restructure his deal and demand that the mavericks makes some better moves. and I think they will at the end of the day. I don't think dirk wants to be the guy that leaves dallas so he can play with another team at the end of his career. that's what he himself has always said, so unless cuban decides to trade him or let him walk, i don't see him leaving.