The Dallas Mavericks were hoping this was the year they contended for a title. The team re-signed Dirk Nowitzki. They brought on Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler. They traded for Rajon Rondo during the middle of the year. All of this resulted in a quick exit in the first round of the NBA Playoffs and now the Mavericks are left to figure out exactly what went wrong. In hopes of getting another run at a title, Nowitzki is denying retirement is the next thing for him.
Nowitzki is contracted to play for the Mavericks for two more seasons and the star intends to see that through. After the playoff exit, rumors went flying that the veteran was considering calling it a career, but he denies that idea being true.
"No. I definitely want to fulfill my contract. I signed on for three years last summer and I'm not going to retire after the first year. If I commit to something, I commit to it fully," Nowitzki said, via SportsDayDFW.com. "I've got two more years and hopefully make it count, make it good ones. Hopefully deep playoff runs, that's what we wanted this year. We wanted home court advantage to set us up for a nice little run, we just weren't consistent enough to really get there, so, we'll see how the next few years play out."
While Nowitzki is making it clear that he will be back with the team, other stars are not as certain. According to Dallas Morning News, Rondo will not be returning after a roller coaster stint with the team. The point guard failed to meet expectations in Dallas and will instead hit the free agent market with the intentions of heading elsewhere. Owner Mark Cuban originally saw Rondo as a long-term option for the team, but after public fights with head coach Rick Carlisle, that is no longer an option.
Chandler could also be joining Rondo as a free agent. The center joined Dallas on an expiring contract after getting traded from the Knicks. He certainly did his part all year to anchor the defense for the team and is hopeful to be re-signed in the offseason.
"Nothing's ever for certain," Chandler said, via the Fort Worth Star Telegram. "That's the whole thing about the summertime. You just have to see how it plays out. I think this summer they have flexibility, maybe more than they've had in the past. So being a good organization and a good city, you have opportunities with free agents, but you kind of have to see how it plays out."
The Mavericks only have three players returning under contract next season. Monta Ellis is expected to opt out while players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Jimmy Butler and DeAndre Jordan are expected to be targeted in free agency.
