Meanwhile, Dwyane Wade still mulling decision after two meetings with Bulls and Hornets President says Chris Paul is staying in New Orleans.
Dirk Nowitzki is staying with the Mavericks.“Yes, we have a deal,” adviser Holger Geschwindner said.
Although terms were not immediately known, the contract could be worth $96 million for four years.
It was unknown whether Nowitzki took less money to make it more owner-friendly and allow Mark Cuban to make serious pitches at key free agents via sign-and-trade scenarios. Nowitzki has said previously that he would do so if it helped land prime talent alongside him.
The Mavericks did not respond to interview requests. Nowitzki, 32, can officially sign the deal Thursday, when the seven-day moratorium on contracts ends.
Dwyane Wade Decision soon
Dwyane Wade hopes a decision on his future will come this week, and said his new contract will be about more than just where he plays basketball the next few years.
“I’ve got a decision to make, and I’ve got a weekend to think about it,” Wade told Chicago’s NBC-Channel 5 outside a downtown hotel. “Hopefully, at the beginning of [this] week sometime, I’ll make that decision.”
He met twice with the Bulls this week, had sessions with the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets, and also was contacted by Miami.
“I think that the organizations I’ve been brought in to meet with are all good organizations,” said Wade, who led the Heat to the championship in 2006. “And all can add something to my life, and not just basketball-wise. I understand that if myself and another guy, and we have some good players around, we’ll be good. To me it’s about what makes 40 years of my life and not just about the next 10.”
David Lee meets Timberwolves
Free agent forward David Lee visited the Minnesota Timberwolves, who made a strong pitch to try to persuade Lee to join the rebuilding effort, according to agent Mark Bartelstein.
Lee visited the Twin Cities for about nine hours. He met with the Wolves’ front office and attended part of the Rays-Twins game at Target Field with coach Kurt Rambis and President David Kahn.
Brendan Haywood meets Heat
Dallas Mavericks free-agent center Brendan Hayward met with Heat President Pat Riley and his staff in Charlotte, N.C.
“Everyone thought it was a very productive meeting, that it was informative, it was straight to the point,” agent Andy Miller said.
‘No question’ about Chris Paul
Hornets President Hugh Weber said there is “no question” that Chris Paul will still be with New Orleans when next season begins.
Weber made the assurances a day after Paul said that while he considers New Orleans his adopted hometown and loves the city, he would not be interested in remaining with the Hornets long-term if the club fails to demonstrate an immediate commitment to winning.
Paul, a three-time All-Star guard, has two seasons to go before he can opt out of his current contract with New Orleans.