Nowitzki expects teammate Ellis to opt out of contract

Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis can opt out of the final year of his contract this summer, and teammate Dirk Nowitzki thinks he will.

"He was our leading scorer last year and I'm sure for his market value he feels like he was a little underpaid," Nowitzki told reporters Tuesday as he returned to Dallas for the Mavs' youth basketball camp. "I haven't talked to him lately, but I'm guessing he wants to opt out. Why would he not? He had two phenomenal seasons here."

Ellis, who will turn 30 before the start of next season, has just over $8.7 million owed to him in 2015-16. Like others who have a player option this year, he may choose to opt out in order to sign a short-term deal and then retest unrestricted free agency again in 2016 or 2017 when the NBA salary cap skyrockets.

The 6-foot-3 guard, always a volume shooter, improved somewhat on his efficiency this season and led the Mavericks in scoring at just under 19 points a game.

With Rajon Rondo certain to be gone (and now foot racing college football players), it will be interesting to see how the Mavs address their backcourt.

Center Tyson Chandler is also an unrestricted free agent, and the Mavericks are expected to be busy in the offseason. Rumors persist they are chasing big men LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan.