Dallas Mavericks: Summer Updates For Nowitzki, Parsons

The Dallas Mavericks will focus on completing fast deals with Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons. Here’s a look at their status less than a month before free agency.

Heading into the summer, just about every team has a free agent that they will be looking to hold on to. Whether it’s a superstar player or simply a rotational piece, there’s value hitting the market that will draw interest.

For the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons will be the biggest pieces possibly becoming free agents. Both have player options and both have been linked to rumors that suggest they’ll opt out.

Luckily for the Mavs, even if Nowitzki opts out, he’s not going anywhere. The same can be said for Parsons who seems dedicated to staying in Dallas. However, the questions then start to revolve around possible contracts.

Let’s take a look at current storylines for both players.

Dirk Nowitzki

Closing in on 38 years of age, it’s widely believed that Nowitzki will play just two more years in the NBA. With that in mind, it would make a ton of sense to see him opt out of his current contract this summer in order to sign a two-year contract and finish up his career with the Mavs.

However, that may not be the case. Nowitzki recently made an appearance on “The Ben and Skin Show” on 105.3 The Fan and had some interesting words to say regarding free agency (via Mavs.com):

"“Just trying to find out what the best (thing to do) is. Is it best to stay in the contract and play next year and keep the same pay, or should I opt out? Is that best for the franchise? Just trying to find out from Donnie and Mark what’s out there, what the plan is. So, 100 percent, my mind’s not made up, but I’m leaning toward opting out and trying to help, and see what’s out there.”"

Nowitzki obviously still remains dedicated to opting out, which brings in the possibility of money. Is it possible that he would take yet another pay cut to give the Mavs even more room this summer? It’s always an option and wouldn’t be a surprising one given Nowitzki’s willingness to put the team first.

Chandler Parsons

Parsons remains the most important Mavs player behind Nowitzki, but with season-ending knee surgeries in both of his seasons in Dallas, there’s reason to be concerned.

At one point in time, there was belief that Parsons would be back in action if the Mavs made it to the second round of the playoffs, but when they were ousted in five games in the first round, that was thrown to the side.

However, Parsons gave an update on his status on June 1, by showing off his three-point range on Instagram.

Though nothing is set in stone, it seems likely that Parsons will opt out of his contract to get a new deal this summer. After the season was over, he stated that it would be hard for him to recruit if he didn’t even know where he was going, but followed that up by expressing his love for the city of Dallas.

A lot has changed since Apr. 26 and a lot more can change between now and July 1, but it certainly looks like Parsons will opt out.

The question that remains on his end deals with what kind of contract he will get. The common answer would be a max contract as the 6’9″ forward is 27 years old and likely on the verge of hitting his prime, but offering the max to a player that has seemed injury-prone is something that the Mavs must be careful doing.

Just like Nowitzki, Parsons will be back in Dallas next season, as he’s got a great relationship with Nowitzki, Cuban and the rest of the team. His contract will dictate just how much cap flexibility the Mavs will have.

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Dallas Mavericks: Summer Updates For Dirk Nowitzki And Chandler Parsons

By Cole Mentzel | Jun 4, 2016

The Dallas Mavericks will focus on completing fast deals with Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons. Here’s a look at their status less than a month before free agency.

Dirk Nowitzki

Chandler Parsons