NBA Rumors: 5 reasons Dirk Nowitzki should sign with Cavaliers

By John Buhler | Jun 21, 2016

Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) argues a call with the referees during the second half against the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Rockets 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and head coach Tyronn Lue celebrate on the podium after beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Winning with house money in Cleveland

While Golden State is probably furious about blowing its chances at having the best basketball season ever by a professional team by losing Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, should Nowitzki consider Cleveland, he will be entering a situation where the pressure he’ll face it at an all-time low.

Cleveland just ended a nearly 52-year championship drought in the Northeast region of Ohio. The impossible happened in the lifetime of many Clevelanders and the anger/resentment of playoff struggles in the region has completely evaporated.

Does this mean that Cleveland becomes a city of champions like regional rival Pittsburgh over night? No, but the soul-crushing burden of perpetual playoff choking in the city has completely dissipated. Now the Cavaliers are just a marquee free agent destination, as seemingly everybody wants to play with LeBron James.

Joining a reigning league champion in free agency is often looked at as a front-running move that cowards make, but with the amount of pressure the Mavericks organization has put on Nowitzki over the years, he could just play a relaxed form of basketball for an elite team in Cleveland next season to close out his NBA career.

Next: 4. Cleveland needs help in front court this offseason.

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