One of the teams that hasn't really been active this offseason is the Dallas Mavericks. Last season, the Mavericks finished 11th in Western Conference standings with a 33-49 record and failed to reach the playoffs. When the offseason started, the Mavericks were expected to be one of the teams that could land one of the top free-agents. Unfortunately for them, that didn't happen. But even though they didn't acquire any of the marquee free agents this summer, there is some positive news for Dallas Mavericks fans.
Nowitzki staying for at least one more season
Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported on Thursday that Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a two-year deal worth around $10 million.
The deal will have a team option for the final year, meaning that Nowitzki will most likely end his career after the next season. Earlier this summer, Dirk and the Mavs front office agreed to decline a team option that would have given Nowitzki $25 million for the next season. This means that Nowitzki has given the Mavericks a major discount, as he accepted a new, two-year $10 million deal. The 2017/2018 season will be the 20th season of his career, and he will join Kobe Bryant as one of only two players in league history to play 20 seasons with one franchise.
Dirk is a 13-time All-Star and currently ranks sixth on the all-time NBA scoring list. Last season with Dallas, Nowitzki averaged 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while playing an average of 26.4 minutes per game. His 14.2 points per game last season were the lowest since his rookie year, and it also marked the first time since the 1999-2000 season that the Mavericks finished with a losing record (33-49).
Nowitzki will turn 40 next summer, and it's hard to expect that he will play after the 2017/2018 season.
James Johnson returns to Miami
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on Friday that the Miami Heat will bring back James Johnson. Johnson was a free agent this summer, and he will reportedly sign a four-year deal worth around $60 million with the Miami Heat.
He played the best basketball of his career last season with the Heat, as he averaged a career-high 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. The 6-foot-9 forward showed his versatility last season as he also averaged 3.6 assists per game and shot nearly 35% from behind the arc. He flourished playing under the tutelage of Eric Spoelstra and it seems that the Miami Heat is happy to have him back.
