NBA: Ranking The Top 25 Free Agents Of 2016

Jan 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is injured during the first half against Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is injured during the first half against Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

15 – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks – 7’0″ Forward

Two years ago Dirk Nowitzki took a pay cut that sent him from making $22.721 million per year to roughly $8 million and signed a contract for $8.692 million for three years with a last year player option in hopes Dallas would use that extra cap space to build a championship caliber team around him. That obviously didn’t happen.

Dirk is going to opt out of his current contract and says he plans to return to the Mavericks stating that his full intention has always been to retire in a Mavs jersey. With that being said, the question is now, how much will Dirk require after generously taking a pay cut and getting nothing in return.

It is very likely that Dirk will not be so easy this time with his new contract. Dirk is going to return to Dallas, but what makes it interesting is how much he will require the Mavs to pay and how much Dallas will have to give up for him.

Next: Chandler Parsons