Dirk Nowitzki has proven that he is one of the most loyal if not the most loyal and selfless super star the NBA has ever known when he agreed to take a massive pay cut in a new contract worth $25 million for 3 years with the Dallas Mavericks.
It was an even bigger financial sacrifice than most expected - many believed that Dirk would sign a Duncan like contract of $30 million for 3 years - helping Mavs owner Mark Cuban and President Donnie Nelson fortify the team's roster, according to sources with knowledge of the star forward's contract.
Sources reveal that Nowitzki was being courted by the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency and were ready to offer him a max-contract. The Rockets and Lakers, however, never received any audience from the Big German as he refused to engage in negotiations with either team.
But all this sacrifice is not just about Dirk's desire to win. If winning was everything that mattered to him, then he might have signed with the Houston Rockets. A line up that features Dirk Nowitzki, James Harden, Dwight Howard, and Chandler Parsons - the Rockets would have went over the cap and kept Parson's if Nowitzki signed with them - would have been the best in the NBA.
The 12 time All-Star and 2011 NBA Finals MVP, though, is simply too loyal to even consider leaving the Mavs, the only team he has played for in his 16 year hall of fame career. He has made it known that all he wants is to contend for another championship, but leaving Dallas for it was never an option he entertained. His heart never left Dallas and this is where it has been since he started as a Mav in1998.
You can count guys like Dirk on one or two fingers," president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "We're so lucky to have him. He's a winner.
Dirk's unprecedented hometown discount allowed the Mavs to bring back Tyson Chandler, resign Devin Harris, steal Chandler Parson's away from the Rockets, and have enough room for the signing of key veteran players in Richard Jefferson, Rashard Lewis, and possibly Mo Williams. It also guarantees that the Mavs will continue to become major players in next year's free agency market which features marquee names like Love, Aldridge, and Durant.
Clearly Nowtizki's sacrifice has paid off as the Mavs are a better team this summer, on paper at least. Hopefully Nowtizki gets another championship before everything is said and done so all the sacrifice and loyalty that he has shown will be prove sweeter in the end.
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