Nowitzki to return to Mavericks on two-year, $10 million deal
DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki has a deal with the Dallas Mavericks that sets him up to join Kobe Bryant as the only players to spend 20 seasons with one NBA franchise.
Nowitzki and the Mavericks have agreed on a two-year, $10 million contract that carries a team option in the second season, a person with knowledge of the deal said Thursday on condition of anonymity because a deal hasn’t been announced.
The agreement is similar to the one the Mavs and Nowitzki reached last year, although for significantly less money. Last year’s contract was for two years and $50 million, and the club declined its option before free agency opened this year.
The 39-year-old Nowitzki is no longer the primary option for the Mavericks, so a $5 million deal is more in line with his role on a roster that has become significantly younger since the start of last season. The $25 million salary from a year ago was as much about Dallas paying Nowitzki for his loyalty, which included taking less money to help acquire free agents through the years.
Regardless of how much longer he plays, Nowitzki’s legacy is secure after leading the Mavericks to their only championship in 2011 as the NBA Finals MVP. The 7-foot German is also the only foreign-born player with 30,000 career points, a milestone he reached last season.
Gay to join Spurs on $17.2 million deal
The San Antonio Spurs have signed veteran forward Rudy Gay.
Gay averaged 18.7 points last season in Sacramento but was limited to 30 games before rupturing his left Achilles tendon in January and having surgery a few days later.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but ESPN reported the contract is for $17.2 million over two years.
Kings to add Carter on $8 million contract
The Kings and eight-time All-Star Vince Carter agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal Thursday, league sources confirmed to The Sacramento Bee.
Carter, 40, spent the last three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and will reunite with coach Dave Joerger, who led the Grizzlies in Carter’s first two seasons there.
Carter is one of the most decorated players of his generation and will likely be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as soon as he is eligible after his retirement.
Carter was the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year and the 2000 slam dunk contest champion. He was a second-team All-NBA selection in 2001 and a thirdteam selection in 2000. He’s averaged 18.2 points for his career.
Carter’s 24,555 career points rank 22nd in NBA history.
Clippers get Gallinari in three-team trade
The Los Angeles Clippers acquired sharp-shooting forward Danilo Gallinari from Denver as part of a three-team trade that also involved Atlanta.
In the swap, Los Angeles sent Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone, cash considerations and a protected 2018 first-round pick to the Hawks. The Nuggets receive a 2019 second-round pick from Atlanta.
Odds and ends
Former Celtics center Kelly Olynyk has agreed to sign with the Miami Heat for more than $50 million over four years. Miami also agreed to re-sign forward James Johnson to a four-year, $60 million deal. … The Grizzlies are planning to retire the No. 50 jersey worn by Zach Randolph, who is leaving the team after eight seasons to sign with the Kings. Randolph, who helped Memphis earn seven straight playoff appearances, will become the first player to have his number retired by the Grizzlies. … The Clippers acquired the draft rights to Oklahoma State guard Jawun Evans, the 39th overall pick in last month’s NBA draft, from the 76ers in exchange for cash considerations. … The Bucks acquired the rights to sign SMU guard Sterling Brown, the 46th overall selection from the 76ers for cash considerations. … The Pacers waived backup guard Monta Ellis. … A person with knowledge of the situation said the Thunder have agreed to terms with Andre Roberson on a three-year, $30 million contract.