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Dallas Mavericks: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) celebrates with forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) after scoring during overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Mavericks won 115-112. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) celebrates with forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) after scoring during overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Mavericks won 115-112. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Mavericks
Apr 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates making a three point basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Dirk Deserves It

There was little doubt about where Dirk Nowitzki would be re-signing over the summer, but with a two-year, $50 million contract, the Mavericks finally did right by a player who’s consistently sacrificed big pay days in order to leave the front office enough cap space to woo star free agents.

Seeing as how the Mavericks have continually whiffed on those star free agents (including this summer, missing out on Conley, Whiteside and Parsons), it’s nice to see Nowitzki’s faith and loyalty rewarded with a $25 million annual salary. The second year is a $25 million team option meant to leave flexibility in case Dirk chooses to retire.

At 38 years old, Nowitzki’s time as an elite NBA player is over. In fact, it’s probably better for the Mavs if he’s no longer the team’s best player in 2016-17. Sure, Dirk put up 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last year, but they came on less than Dirk-ish efficiency, with the seven-foot German shooting just 44.8 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three-point range.

Dirk’s defensive flaws have become a regular source of exposure for Dallas’ defense, which is why having Bogut on the interior will be so helpful for another run to the playoffs next season.

But this deal really isn’t about what Dirk can/can’t contribute at this stage in his career. Like Kobe Bryant before him, Dirk’s team is honoring him for everything he’s done for the franchise as a lifetime legend.

Unlike Kobe, however, this feels 100 percent deserved because of all the financial sacrifices Dirk had made over the years, and this new deal eats up nowhere as much cap room as Bryant’s massive salary once did.

Grade: A

Next: Odds And Ends

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