NBA Rumors: 5 reasons Dirk Nowitzki should sign with Cavaliers
By John Buhler
![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 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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/bd0f4733cc8e7f1a7f86271ceb6da9e15d0feb1d17f39e811f83391fe1935fbb.jpg)
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.