In his record-setting 21st season with the same NBA team, Dirk Nowitzki is being treated like a player who will retire at season’s end, but the Mavericks legend is not fully committed to the idea.
Speaking to reporters, including Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News, at NBA All-Star Media in Charlotte Saturday, Nowitzki said he will re-evaluate how he feels after the 2018/19 season before deciding on retirement.
“It’s been humbling, even though I haven’t said this will be it,” Nowitzki said. “I’m going to wait and see the last couple of weeks, how my body feels and if I continue to see improvement and I’m still having fun, we’ll see.”
Nowitzki, 40, was added to the All-Star game along with Dwyane Wade — who confirmed the 2018/19 campaign will be his last — in honor of his likely Hall of Fame career. The German big man missed the started of the season due to ankle surgery but has carved out a role off Dallas’ bench. In 28 games, Nowitzki is averaging 4.7 PPG and 1.7 RPG in 11 minutes per contest — all career-lows.
While the production is a far cry from his MVP-type production a decade earlier, Nowitzki remains a valuable veteran in the Mavericks’ locker room. Nowitzki has served as a mentor for fellow European and Rookie of the Year candidate Luka Doncic. After Dallas acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Knicks, Nowitzki expressed excitement in mentoring the fellow 7’0″-plus European.
If Nowitzki returns for another season, it would likely be in a role similar to the one he has played this year. The appeal of playing alongside a more seasoned Doncic and a healthy Porzingis — who is not expected to play in 2018/19 as he rehabs from ACL surgery — could entice Nowitzki into one more season.
I tried to tell y’all…
He had a financial mishap earlier in his career, I don’t blame him for sticking around and recouping for as long as they’ll pay him to exercise!
what was the financial mishap ?
Scammed. Too nice of a guy.
likes that Euro club scene. Luka Dirk and Kristaps.
Has long as Mark Cuban owns the team Dirk will be employed in some fashion for the rest of his life.
He’s playing 11 minutes and averaging 4.7 this season……he’s barely playing this season?
Has no business being in the All Star game if his not retiring. He was added to honor his career, not because he is an all star anymore. He is taking the spot of any number of players who deserve all star consideration. Make him sit on the end of the bench and then ignore him for the whole game.
I agree.
They added two extra roster spots this season for wade and dirk. I agree he not all all star but he is not taking anyone’s roster spot.
He didn’t tell anyone or was retiring or ask to be an honorary all star.. they won’t to honor him just in case he hangs it up after this season..
It’s not even a real all-star game anymore. The NBA ruined that the way they ruined the draft.
My friend works for the Mavs and the rumor is he would like to play until he’s 50.
Good. Go until they tell you no more. It’s the only way to not have regrets. Same with Haslem.
Traded for a man who has been dead for seven years. That deal came back to haunt them!!!