Dallas Mavericks’ Monta Ellis Hints He Won’t Opt Out Next Year
By Wes Goldberg
In a recent radio interview, Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis hinted he will not opt out of his current contract next year.
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Monta Ellis had a renaissance of sorts last season with the Dallas Mavericks. He found a comfort zone running the Mavs pick-and-roll and relinquishing the alpha-dog duties to alpha-incumbent Dirk Nowitzki. Last season was the first of a three-year, $25 million deal that includes a player option for the 2015-16 season.
On a local sports radio show, Ellis hinted that he will not be taking that option.
If that was true, and not just a slip up by Ellis, that’s great news for Mavericks fans. Ellis enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last year, averaging 19 points and 5.7 assists per game while his shooting efficiency numbers were his best since he was with the Golden State Warriors in 2011–arguable his best NBA season.
Ellis, 28, is key to the future of the Mavericks. He and Nowitzki will be joined by Chandler Parsons and re-joined by Tyson Chandler this season and figure to be a contender in the Western Conference. Ellis can play either the point guard or shooting guard position, but is projected to play more 2 this season given that Dallas has more depth at point guard.
One radio interview isn’t as good as ink on paper–just ask the Miami Heat. The Mavericks success this season will certainly come into play. Oh, and don’t forget the major television deal the NBA recently signed that is expected to increase the cap.
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