Dirk Nowitzki wants to play two more years with Mavericks
By Tom West
Don’t worry, Dallas — Dirk Nowitzki still wants to play for another two years with the Mavericks.
Tim Duncan is constantly praised as one of the most timeless players in NBA history, but Dirk Nowitzki has also done more than enough to join that conversation during his 17 year career with the Dallas Mavericks. Whether it’s burying countless shots or taking a massive pay-cut for the good of his team, Dirk does whatever is necessary in order to win.
Despite the fact he’s getting on a bit at 36 years of age, Nowitzki is still a good player; even though he isn’t the 25 point, 9 rebound per game player he was during his prime. After averaging 17.3 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting whilst making 38 percent of his threes, though, and being named an All-Star for the 13th time last season, Dirk is still delivering for the Mavericks’ offense.
It’s the reason why he’s managed to climb all the way to 7th on the all-time NBA scoring list with a ridiculous 28,119 points.
So, thankfully for the city of Dallas and his fans back in Germany, he isn’t planning on retiring for another two years yet (as has been reported by Tim Cato of Mavs Moneyball):
Dirk on retirement: "I want to play two more years here under contract."
— tim cato (@tim_cato) September 28, 2015
As Dirk said, he wants to play two more years under contract, as he’s still signed through 2015-16 and has a player option in 2016-17. To add to that statement, he also made it clear that he’ll retire in the way that we love seeing from genuine champions who care about their team and winning more than individual attention:
Dirk said he's not going to announce his retirement and have a farewell tour. "That's the worst thing. ... When I'm gone I'm gone."
— tim cato (@tim_cato) September 28, 2015
You may think Dirk is slow and old, and to an extent you’d be pretty correct in thinking so, but even at 36 he was still second for the Mavericks in scoring last season. Only the underrated scorer that is Monta Ellis edged him out with 18.9, and the perimeter shooting and pick-and-pop game of Nowitzki is something that will leave a big hole in the Mavs’ offense after he retires.
He still makes the Mavericks a better team, as he raised their offensive rating by 4.2 points per 100 possessions while on the floor last season to increase their average lead over opponents by +3.7 points per 100 possessions, in comparison to only +2.2 without him.
Yes, of course he’s declined, but for a player whose game revolves around a shooting skill-set with such longevity, it’s safe to say Dirk still has something left to give.
That doesn’t mean that he’s desperately trying to hang onto his career to make as much money as possible, though. In fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Last season, Nowitzki was Dallas’ lowest paid starter. At a salary of $7,974,482 he made about $400,000 less than Ellis, $5 million less than Rajon Rondo and around $6.8 million less than Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons. Even in 2015-16 he’ll barely be making half as much as Parsons and new signing Wesley Matthews.
It hardly seems fair (that guy Kobe Bryant still makes $23.5 million by the way), yet that doesn’t matter to Dirk. It just shows how much he puts his team before himself.
His unquestionable talent, humble nature and tireless dedication will be sorely missed the moment he retires. So, for as long as he remains a Maverick, the NBA will be a better place.
Dirk Nowitzki, we thank you for staying around a little longer.