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Old 07-30-2002, 02:32 AM   #1
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Nowitzki needs insurance; who'll foot the bill?
07/30/2002

By MARC STEIN / The Dallas Morning News


The Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki is scheduled to fly from Europe to Dallas on Tuesday for a medical examination that looms as just the first step in the German Basketball Federation's complicated attempts to secure an insurance policy for its star forward.

Without the policy, needed to cover Nowitzki's surgically repaired left ankle because of an insurance exclusion in his new contract, Nowitzki would not be eligible to play for Germany in the World Championships in Indianapolis from Aug. 29 to Sept. 8.

Clearance to play from Mavericks team doctor Tarek Souryal is considered a formality, since Nowitzki has been practicing without pain in Germany in recent weeks after bone spurs were removed from the ankle in May.

The bigger hurdle is the cost of the insurance policy, which could exceed $100,000 for the tournament because of the $80 million owed Nowitzki over the next six seasons. The Germans are struggling to raise the funds.

"We can understand," said German federation president Wolfgang Brenschiedt. "We would do the same as the Dallas Mavericks and not take the risk and let Dirk play without 100 percent coverage.

"We're all working on it together and hope we can solve the problem. If we can't, that means Dirk is out, but we are still optimistic that we will find a solution."

League rules require foreign federations to assume the bulk of the insurance responsibilities for off-season tournaments, but policies are less expensive for players whose contracts don't contain injury exclusions. Included in the latter category are Team USA's Michael Finley and Canada's Steve Nash, players whose most recent injury exclusions have expired.

Nowitzki, though, was plagued by ankle trouble all season, and would-be German teammate Shawn Bradley has multiple injury exclusions in his contract, which could threaten Bradley's participation more than Nowitzki's.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he would like to see Nowitzki represent his country. "But the rule is that it's their team, so they have to pay," Cuban said.

Mavs await Lewis' call

Cuban said The Mavericks tried to secure a commitment – or at least get a timetable – from Rashard Lewis before the free-agent forward left town Friday. "His agent will call us when they are ready," Cuban said of Lewis, who told The News that his choice is "between Seattle and Dallas."

Nowitzki, reached in Germany over the weekend, greeted news of the Lewis courtship with excitement, scoffing at the notion that there isn't room in the Mavericks' front court for another scorer. "He's a very skilled player," Nowitzki said. "It would be great to get him if we can."

Cuban, however, emphasized that the Mavericks have had "zero discussion" about a sign-and-trade scenario with Seattle. A sign-and-trade is the only way Dallas could compete with the Sonics' expected offer of $60-plus million, but that would also likely cost Cuban one of his top five players.

The Mavericks are trying to persuade Lewis to accept a three-year, $15 million offer for a shot to compete for a championship, and with the unspoken promise of down-the-road riches.

"That is our only option," Cuban said. "The value is that he wants to play with these guys."

Briefly ...

Denver still hasn't hired a head coach, but the Mavericks are prepared in case they lose lead assistant Del Harris to the Nuggets. Advance scout Larry Riley, 57, who joined the coaching staff for much of the playoffs in the spring, will move to the bench if needed next season. ... Earlier in the summer, the Mavericks made contact with free-agent center Arvydas Sabonis, who is mulling a return to the NBA after taking a season off. Sabonis, though, apparently won't play for the $4.5 million mid-level exception Dallas has since offered Lewis. Portland, as Sabonis' last employer, can exceed that figure to re-sign him.
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Old 07-30-2002, 07:58 AM   #2
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Dirk is coming back? Thanks for posting that. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Very helpful.
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