Veteran shooting guard Monta Ellis opted out of his $8.7 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks and will reportedly test the free agency waters this July, as per ESPN.

Ellis is entering the last year of his three-year, $25 million contract with the Mavs. Together with his agent Jeff Fried, the 2007 NBA Most Improved Player had decided to pick up the option as reports swirled that Dallas is set to trade him even if he opts in on his final season with the team.

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Fried said that his client arrived at this decision to take control of "his future into his own hands." It was said to be a good move on the part of Ellis, as a sign-and-trade would not only allow him to choose the team that he wants to play for but he can potentially have a bigger deal financially in the process.

The report mentioned that Dallas is no longer interested in re-signing Ellis even if he was considered as the team's main man last season, leading them in scoring at 18.9 points per game and lifting them during clutch situations.

Ellis was second only to the Houston Rockets' James Harden in clutch points for the 2014-2015 season. Harden had 138 while he had 135.

There were speculations that the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers are interested in making an offer to the 29-year-old shooting guard.

However, RealGM indicated that Ellis is fascinated in joining Eastern Conference runner-ups Atlanta Hawks next season and is currently talking with them for the possibility of a new deal. There were no reports that the Hawks have mutual interest on his camp's offer, as Atlanta is already loaded at the two-guard spot with Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore.

Another reason why the Hawks may think twice about acquiring the 6-foot-3 backcourt scorer is his incompatibility with their two point guards Jeff Teague and Dennis Schröder who both demands the ball to be effective, which is the same as Ellis.

Meanwhile, NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk reported that the Mavericks are chasing San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, to replace Ellis in their lineup. But he may not come in cheap for Mark Cuban.

As a proven effective long-range shooter and wing defender with much championship experience, Green is reportedly eyeing the first big contract of his career this summer. 

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Monta Ellis