National Basketball Association

Dirk Nowitzki reportedly opts out of his deal, will become free agent

Published Jun. 21, 2016 10:08 p.m. ET

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Dirk Nowitzki has spent his entire 18-year career with the Dallas Mavericks, but it appears as of July 1 the 13-time All-Star will be on the open market.

Nowitzki opted out of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent, ESPN reported Tuesday. Nowitzki notified the team a day before his deadline to either become a free agent or accept a player option that would have paid him $8.7 million next season, according to the report.

Many assume Nowitzki will re-up with the Mavs, who lost in the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Earlier this month, Nowitzki hinted at opting out in order to sign a longer-term deal.

"Since I felt great and played sort of decent, I might opt out and maybe sign a two- or three-year deal," Nowitzki said, via the Dallas Morning News. "We'll see how it goes, but that's probably the plan for now."

Nowitzki has been the face of the Mavericks for many years, leading the club to its first and only title in 2011 and being named league MVP in 2007. A recent report indicated that the Warriors could make a play for Nowitzki, but that seems unlikely given the 38-year-old's desire to retire in Dallas.