The Dallas Mavericks may be locking up their head coach for the next five years, according to Marc Stein of ESPN:
ESPN Sources: Dallas Mavs & coach Rick Carlisle are in advanced negotiations on contract extension, nearing agreement on new five-year deal
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 26, 2015
The Mavericks, who had a tumultuous offseason, will be looking to add a touch of stability to the team by resigning their coach. Carlisle has been the head coach of the team since 2008, making him one of the longest tenured coaches in the NBA. The former Pistons and Pacers coach is regarded as one of the best coaches in the league, having amassed a 619-431, good for a .589 winning percentage.
While the Mavericks seem to have fallen off and will be facing an uphill battle to even reach the playoffs this season, signing Carlisle to a long term extension could be a big step towards the future. Any young players that they draft or trade for will have the benefit of being coached and developed by one of the league’s best. Additionally, Carlisle’s coaching acumen could be a selling point for free agents in the future. While the deal has not yet been signed, there is probably little doubt that it can get done soon.
UPDATE:
ESPN’s Marc Stein has reported that the deal between the two sides has been finalized.
Coach Rick Carlisle and the Dallas Mavericks have come to terms on a new contract extension.
Sources told ESPN.com the extension is a new five-year deal in the $35 million range that will make Carlisle the league’s highest-paid coach without a dual executive role and will take him well into his second decade with the club.
Carlisle was widely believed to be in the final year of his second contract with the Mavs, but sources say the club actually held a little-known team option for the 2016-17 season. The new five-year deal will then take effect in 2017-18 through 2021-22.
