Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki is expected to opt into the final year of his contract for the 2010-11 season, according to sources.

Nowitzki has the option to opt out and become a free agent next summer, but even Dallas owner Mark Cuban expects the former MVP to forgo the option.

"I foresee not talking about [Nowitzki's contract situation] with the media at all during the year and we have all next summer to discuss," Cuban told ESPN.

The Mavericks are hoping to sign Nowitzki to an extension before he is ever able to officially hit the open market.

Nowitzki, however, insists that he hasn't given his contract situation much thought.

"I still haven't really thought about it that much," Nowitzki said. "I always said I wanted to finish my career in Dallas and nothing that happened the last two years has changed that. As far as I'm concerned, I'm thinking about playing this contract to the end and we'll go from there. We all know, in this business, things can change in a heartbeat. But as of now, I don't plan on opting out. I plan on finishing my career in Dallas."