Reports: Nowitzki, Pierce to opt out
All-Star forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce have notified their teams that they are opting out of the final years of their contracts, according to reports.
All-Star forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce have notified their teams that they are opting out of the final years of their contracts, according to reports.
Nowitzki has notified the Dallas Mavericks that he is opting out of the final year and $21.5 million on his existing contract, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press yesterday.
Pierce has notified the Celtics of the same, according to ESPN.
While opting out, both Nowitzki and Pierce would be eligible to re-sign with their current teams for 4 years at the maximum $96 million.
The Mavs have said re-signing Nowitzki is their top priority.
Nowitzki and Pierce both broke into the NBA in 1998-99 and have spent their entire careers with the same team.
In other NBA news:
* High-profile free agents LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh met over the weekend in Miami to discuss their future, ESPN.com reported. According to the report, the three discussed the possibility of playing for the Heat.
* Lakers assistant Brian Shaw completed 2 days of meetings with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have not yet offered him - or anyone else - a contract to replace Mike Brown as their coach, a person familiar with search told the Associated Press.
* New Jersey traded forward Yi Jianlian to the Washington Wizards for forward Quinton Ross.
* The Portland Trail Blazers waived forward Ryan Gomes..
* Center Yao Ming said he has picked up his player option for next season, the last year of his 5-year contract, and will return to the Houston Rockets. Yao sat out last season following reconstructive foot surgery.
Pro Football
* Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was arrested in Austin, Texas, and charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching a bar employee in the face nearly a month ago.
* New York Giants rookie safety Chad Jones will be moved to a New York hospital after he was seriously injured in a car accident early Friday in New Orleans.
* Pittsburgh tackle Willie Colon will have surgery today to repair a torn right Achilles' tendon and is expected to miss the season.
Sport Stops
* UCLA freshmen Paul Richardson, Shaquille Richardson and Josh Shirley were dismissed from the football team for violating team rules.
* Chris Moore, the gasman for A.J. Allmendinger's Sprint Cup team, was fired after being suspended by NASCAR for violating its substance-abuse policy.
Hockey
* The Montreal Canadiens traded forward Sergei Kostitsyn to Nashville for forward Dustin Boyd and goalie Dan Ellis.
* Center Mike Modano said he's "disappointed and upset" the Dallas Stars won't offer him a contract and is leaning toward returning next season with another team. It would be his 21st season.
* Former NHL All-Star Adam Oates was hired as an assistant coach by the New Jersey Devils.
Philly File
* The Major League Soccer game betweeen the Union and San Jose Earthquakes on July 10 at PPL Park was moved from 5:30 p.m. to 6. The game will air live on Fox Soccer Channel.