Monta Ellis Opts out of Mavericks Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction
After two seasons in Dallas, Monta Ellis has decided to test the market by declining his option for 2015-16.
According to Spotrac, by opting out of the deal, Ellis is giving up $8.72 million in salary for next season. ESPN's Chris Broussard first reported the news, adding that the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat are interested. Tim McMahon of ESPN Dallas confirmed the report and noted the Mavericks do not plan to re-sign the shooting guard.
"This decision was made because it's in the best interest of Monta," Ellis's agent Jeff Fried said, according to Broussard and McMahon. "It was more about him taking his future into his own hands. Monta's experience in Dallas was definitely a positive one. The team and the organization had success and Monta grew as a player. A door to return there will always be open."
Ellis originally signed with the Mavs in July 2013 and performed well in two years with them, averaging 19 points and 4.9 assists per game, per Basketball-Reference.com.
The 29-year-old will presumably be looking for a raise, as ESPN's Marc Stein posited after Dallas' season ended:
"Word is he's not looking to leave Dallas, where he remade his reputation with last season's strong showing before this season's ups and downs, but Ellis also has the ability to opt out and become a free agent after playing for the (relative) bargain price of $8 million (and change) in each of the past two seasons.
Passing on the opportunity to test the market and see if he can land a more lucrative annual salary might be hard to resist.
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With Ellis declining his option, it gives Dallas the cap freedom to explore more free agents this summer.
Ellis will get the opportunity to score what could end up being the last major contract of his career. It's certainly an opportune time, with the salary cap projected to increase exponentially over the next three years.
It's a good time to be a shooter in the prime of your career in the NBA. Ellis certainly hopes he can take advantage of the exploding market and find a situation that will best utilize his skills.
