Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (R) drives past Oklahoma City Thunder's Serge Ibaka. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks handed its "loyal" team leader Dirk Nowitzki a two-year, $50 million deal that seems to be a retirement bonus for the 38-year-old power forward.
Nowitzki, who is considered as the quintessential stretch four that teams had been craving in the contemporary NBA, is entering his 19th season in the league, all with the Mavericks, after he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks ninth overall in the 1998 NBA Draft then immediately traded to the Mavs.
He was able to lead the franchise to its first and only NBA title so far in 2011 when he spearheaded a group of veterans against Miami Heat's Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, beating them 4-2 in that year's NBA Finals.
The 7-foot Würzburg, West Germany native had been the epitome of consistency not only in Dallas but also in the whole league, consistently averaging in double figures in points throughout all of his professional years except his rookie year.
Nowitzki had also consistently led the Mavericks to the postseason in 15 out of the 18 years he had so far played, missing the playoffs only during his rookie and sophomore seasons and once again in 2012-2013.
USA Today reported the official signing, saying that the contract was "$10 million more than the deal struck before contracts could be signed".
The initial agreement earlier this month was said to be $40 million for two years, but it was amended to $50 million with the same time period, which is perhaps a way of expressing gratitude to the German's faithful tenure with the ballclub.
Nowitzki earned about $8 million during the past two seasons, a bargain for someone of his talent and reputation. But now, his loyalty will be rewarded as he becomes the Mavericks' highest-paid player next season.
Fansided noted that the German's latest contract will "bring Nowitzki to 40-years old" and would probably his last years in the league.
The article also said that he "will no doubt go down as the greatest player to wear a Mavericks jersey" and that Cuban is committed to making sure Nowitzki get the treatment that he deserves before he rides out into the sunset.
