Mavericks free Nowitzki . . . for now
The NBA’s Dallas Mavericks made the mutual decision yesterday with Dirk Nowitzki not to exercise their option for next season, which will ostensibly make the franchise icon a free agent on July 1.
However, a source said what has been assumed for weeks — that the Mavericks will opt out of the $25-million second season on his two-year deal signed last summer. In its place, the sides will hope to agree to a new two-year deal, likely with a similar opt-out for the team next summer.
The salary will be determined when the Mavericks take stock of how much they have left under the salary cap after re-signing Nerlens Noel and whatever other free agents they pursue.
The Mavericks had to make a decision on the final year of Nowitzki’s contract by June 29. Nowitzki, 39, said he wants to play the upcoming season, which will be his 20th with the Mavericks, and then see how his body and mind feel before determining whether he’d play beyond that.
Soccer: Germany strolls
World champion Germany reached the Confederations Cup semifinals in Sochi, Russia, with a 3-1 victory against Cameroon, which had a player sent off after confusion with experimental video replays.
Germany was leading on Kerem Demirbay’s 48th-minute strike when Cameroon had Sebastien Siani wrongly sent off. It took protests from the Cameroon players to check the replay. Defender Ernest Mabouka was then correctly dismissed in the 64th minute. Germany extended its lead two minutes later courtesy of a diving header from Timo Werner. Werner netted again in the 81st minute.
By securing the top spot in Group B, the world champions play Mexico on Thursday.
In Moscow, Martin Rodriguez’ goal salvaged a draw for Chile against a tenacious Australian side to ensure his team qualified for the semifinals. Chile, the South American champion, was second in Group B and will face Portugal in the semifinals. . . .
Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes fired coach Dominic Kinnear and assistant John Spencer, naming former player Chris Leitch the replacement coach. Alex Covelo also was hired as an assistant coach. Kinnear was hired in 2015 for his second stint coaching the Quakes.
Tennis: Kvitova on top
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova beat Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 yesterday in the Aegon Classic final in Birmingham, England, to win her first title since her playing hand was injured in a knife attack at her home. Kvitova was playing only her second tournament and seventh match since she was attacked in December. It was the Czech leftie’s 20th career title in her 27th final. . . .
In London, Feliciano Lopez saved a match point as he came from behind to beat Marin Cilic 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (8) at The Queen’s Club and claim the biggest title of his career. . . .
Roger Federer defeated Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-3 to win the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, for a record ninth time.