Dirk Nowitzki re-signs with the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have officially signed Dirk Nowitzki to a one-year, $5 million contract bringing him back for a 21st season. Mavericks PR sent out a release conforming reports from this morning.

The Mavs declined Nowitzki’s team option earlier in July to make room for DeAndre Jordan, but a new deal for the franchise’s icon was imminent.

It will be a record-setting 21st year for the NBA legend as he will pass Kobe Bryant’s mark for the most consecutive seasons played with one team. With the direction the NBA is headed, that might never be broken.

Nowitzki, who turned 40 in June, played in 77 games last season, averaging 12 points and six rebounds while shooting 40 percent from deep for the fifth time in his illustrious career.

While playoffs will be a team goal this season, Nowitzki is needing 232 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain and become the NBA’s fifth all-time leading scorer while fending off LeBron James who is only 381 points behind Chamberlain’s record. And as Marc Stein reported, Nowitzki is prepared to do that in a reserve role in “what is likely his final NBA season”.