The Monta Ellis Experience is coming to an end in Dallas, according to multiple published reports.
The 29-year-old guard has opted out of the final year of his deal with the Mavericks, and isn’t expected to return next season.
The #Mavs can still get Monta Ellis and Rajon Rondo involved in sign-and-trade scenarios — if it comes to that.
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) June 24, 2015
Ellis is coming off an up-and-down season, his second with the Mavs, during which he averaged a shade under 19 points and just over four assists a night.
Per the Star-Telegram:
Ellis was slated to earn $8.7 million next season in the last year of a three-year, $25 million contract he signed with the Mavs in the summer of 2013. However, since the Mavs signed Chandler Parsons to a three-year, $46 million deal last summer, sources close to Ellis believes he feels he’s worth at least that if not more, and that’s why he wanted to test the free agent market.
Ellis led the Mavs in scoring (18.9) and steals (1.9) this past season, and was the team’s No. 1 go-to player. He also shot 44.5 percent from the field and a puny 28.5 percent from 3-point range. […] By exercising his option and opting out of contract, Ellis believes he can obtain a contract more in line with the contributions he’s made on the court.
Ellis also was the Mavs’ quasi-point guard a lot of the times, especially in the fourth quarter. Under that alignment, that meant small forward Chandler Parsons was reduced to more of a spot-up shooter. […] Meanwhile, the Mavs would like to see the ball in Parsons’ hands more and have him initiate the offense more from a point forward perspective. By parting ways with Ellis, that prospect should be able to come to fruition.
