Dirk coming to Dallas to talk contract with Mavs
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DALLAS (AP) — Dirk Nowitzki saved the Dallas Mavericks a trip to Germany, a sign the team's all-time leading scorer and rebounder might not be a free agent for long.
Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said he was moments away from boarding a plane for Nowitzki's homeland Wednesday when the former MVP's adviser called to say they were flying to Dallas instead.
Nelson, Nowitzki and Holger Geschwindner are expected to meet at Nowitzki's Dallas home Thursday, the first day for negotiations with free agents. The nine-time All-Star joined the bumper crop of NBA stars possibly seeking new homes when he decided to opt out of the final year of his contract, worth $21.5 million.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nelson said in a text message to The Associated Press that it was a "really good sign" that the Germans were coming to Dallas, where Nowitzki has spent his entire 12-year career. Nelson said he was at an airline counter when Geschwindner called.
Meeting with reporters before he left for the airport, Nelson said there was no backup plan if the Mavericks didn't re-sign Nowitzki. Nelson said other big-name free agents and stars wouldn't be interested in the Mavericks without Nowitzki.
"Everything else hinges on this," Nelson said. "We're going all-out. We'll get this thing done, and then we'll survey the rest of the field and figure out where to go from there."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dallas had been discussing an extension with Nowitzki, but it would've been for only three years. He can get a four-year contract as a free agent, and perhaps a no-trade clause, something his existing deal lacks.
"We will put our best foot forward," Nelson said before his sudden change in travel plans. "He is our A No. 1 player, and we are going to tell him how much we love him."
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will be in Los Angeles at the start of free agency, close to the agents for many of the biggest NBA stars, Nelson said. The top contenders are headlined by LeBron James, but also include Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire and Paul Pierce.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nelson said he wasn't worried about missing out on sales pitches for other big names.
"There is no mix if there's no Dirk," Nelson said.
A quick deal with Nowitzki boosts the Mavericks chances of landing other big names, although Dallas is considered a long shot in the free agent derby. Nelson said he hoped that dialogue with other potential free agents started with news that the Mavericks had secured Nowitzki.
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AP Sports Writer Jaime Aron contributed to this report.