Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks mutually declined the option on the 20-year veteran’s contract, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein. The move is expected to provide the team some flexibility to pursue top free agents:

The Mavericks have been trying to arrange a trade for Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and are expected to pursue Jordan and other top free-agent centers, such as New Orleans’s DeMarcus Cousins and Houston’s Clint Capela, if a trade cannot be struck. Dallas is declining Nowitzki’s option for 2018-19, according to the people, in the event it helps with another potential move.

Nowitzki, who has spent his entire career with the franchise, is expected to sign a new deal with the Mavericks later this summer.

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