Shooting guard Monta Ellis plans to opt out of the final season of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
Agent Jeff Fried confirmed the news to ESPN.com on Wednesday, the deadline day for Ellis’ decision to become a free agent. Ellis is represented by agent Dan Fegan, but he still consults with Fried, his agent for the first eight seasons in the NBA.
“This decision was made because it’s in the best interest of Monta,” Fried said. “It was more about him taking his future into his own hands.”
Ellis is owed $8.7 million next season, but the Mavericks did not intend to attempt to re-sign Ellis despite the fact he averaged 18.9 points last season to lead the team in scoring.
If the 6-foot-3 Ellis had opted in, the Mavs would have attempted to trade him for a first-round pick to clear cap space, sources told ESPN.com.
The Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers are among the teams expected to show interest in Ellis, a 10-year veteran. He has a career scoring average of 19.3 points per game.
Fried did not rule out a return to Dallas for his client.
“Monta’s experience in Dallas was definitely a positive one,” Fried said. “The team and the organization had success and Monta grew as a player. A door to return there will always be open.”