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Nowitzki signs lucrative extension

All-Star Dirk Nowitzki will remain a Dallas Maverick through 2010-11. The forward has signed a lucrative contract extension for three years, believed to be worth $60 million. The 5 time All-Star, 28-year-old Nowitzki averaged a career-best 26.6 points last season, which ranked as the seventh-best in the league, to go along with an average of nine rebounds per game. For the third straight year, Nowitzki ended third in the NBA MVP voting last season.

By leading his team to the best season in franchise history and to the NBA Finals, he bought the team owner`s confidence in his ability to bring the title to Dallas. "We are glad to keep Dirk in the Mavericks family for many more years," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. "His contribution to our success on and off the court has been immeasurable." Nowitzki was signed to a $79 million contract since 2001, on which he had two years remaining.

In eight years playing in the NBA, Nowitzki averages 22 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.01 steals and 1.1 blocks in 36.6 minutes in 603 games. His postseason numbers are even higher, with some stellar performances, such as a 50 point game against the Phoenix suns in the Western conference finals last season. Nowitzki will turn 33 the summer his new contract expires.