Dirk Nowitzki laughs at Houston Rockets interest
When Adrian Wojnarowski revealed the Houston Rockets would allow Chandler Parsons to test free agency, the Yahoo! Sports writer also revealed that the club would be interested in unrestricted free agent Dirk Nowitzki. And when asked about the news, Nowitzki couldn’t help but laugh at his inner-state rivals interest.
"Nowitzki even laughed when it was mentioned that the Houston Rockets – bitter rivals down Interstate 45 and the team that Dwight Howard spurned the Mavericks and Nowitzki for last summer in free agency – have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for him.“The quote was more that they’re going for every guy that’s out there,” he said.“And that, I guess, includes me. But I doubt I’ll be out there long.”"
You’d be hard-pressed to convince me Dirk Nowitzki will be rocking a jersey that doesn’t have Dallas plastered over the front come next season even if the Rockets were in position to offer Nowitzki a near-max contract. Since the draft-day trade in 1998, Nowitzki has been the face of the Dallas Mavericks, carrying them to two championships (2006, 2011), taking home the trophy in their latest appearance. And we all know Mark Cuban isn’t letting his sole superstar escape. Money won’t be an issue for Cuban and it won’t be one for Nowitzki as he hinted at a pay cut this summer.
“At this point of my career, it’s all about competing and winning. It’s not about money. Obviously, Cuban took care of me for a long, long time. I always tried to pay him back by hard playing and being here for this franchise, so I don’t think we’re going to fight over money.”
“I want to compete over these last couple of years. That’s going to be the goal.”