Mavs Notes: Nowitzki, Draft, Liggins, Powell

Last summer, Dirk Nowitzki signed a two-year deal with the Mavericks that included a team option for 2017/18. The Mavs are due to make a decision on that option before the end of June, but Nowitzki told local reporters today, including Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com (Twitter video link), that he doesn’t know yet what the club plans to do.

According to Nowitzki, team owner Mark Cuban is on vacation, and the two sides will likely sit down and discuss the big man’s contract situation when Cuban returns. While Dallas will certainly keep Nowitzki on the roster, his option is worth $25MM, so the team may be interested in lowering that number.

Here’s more from out of Dallas:

  • Nowitzki was also asked today about the Mavericks’ draft plans, and acknowledged that it’s “not a secret” the club would “love” to add a point guard (Twitter link via Sneed).
  • After claiming DeAndre Liggins off waivers late in the 2016/17 season, the Mavericks intend to use the summer to get more familiar with the former Cavalier and to evaluate whether he has a spot on the roster going forward. Sneed has the story at Mavs.com, with some quotes from Cuban and head coach Rick Carlisle.
  • Given Dwight Powell‘s contract situation, he’s unlikely to draw a whole lot of trade interest anytime soon, which means it makes sense for Dallas to be patient and eventually hope for a payoff on the team’s four-year contract investment, says Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.
  • Former Iowa State wing Deonte Burton is participating in a group workout for the Mavs today, league sources tell Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link).
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