Dirk Nowitzki does not plan on retiring this offseason

By John Buhler | Apr 26, 2016

Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) argues a call with the referees during the second half against the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Rockets 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Dirk Nowitzki had a fantastic 2015-16 NBA season at age 37 for the Dallas Mavericks, so naturally he doesn’t think it’s time to retire from basketball.

The Dallas Mavericks were eliminated from the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs on Monday night by the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. While Dallas hasn’t been able to recreate the magical 2010-11 NBA season where they won the NBA Finals, it seems the face of the franchise, Dirk Nowitzki, has no plans to call it a career any time soon.

According to Mavericks beat reporter for ESPN, Tim MacMahon, Nowitzki said at Dallas’ 2015-16 season exit interviews Tuesday, “I definitely won’t retire. That’s out of the question. I felt great this year.”

Dirk Nowitzki: "I definitely won't retire. That's out of the question. I felt great this year."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 26, 2016

Nowitzki was far and away the Mavericks’ best player again this season at age 37, often times carrying an underwhelming roster. Nowitzki averaged 18.3 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, and 1.8 assists per game in 2015-16 for Rick Carlisle’s club.

Over 18 NBA seasons, all with Dallas, Nowitzki has undoubtedly become one of the 50 greatest players to have ever played the game of basketball. He is a 13-time NBA All-Star, made 12 All-NBA teams, was the league MVP in 2006-07, and was most importantly the 2011 NBA Finals MVP when Dallas knocked off LeBron James’ Miami Heat for the Mavericks first and only NBA championship to date.

Nowitzki continues to play at a very high level for the Mavericks into his late 30s at the stretch four. He should easily top 30,000 career points in 2016-17 and has already grabbed over 10,000 career rebounds. Nowitzki revolutionized the way big men play offense in the NBA.

He was the prototype for the stretch four/five that has now become commonplace in the NBA in the small ball era. Nowitzki will probably continue to play until he’s 40. He’ll only play for Dallas and he should play as long as he feels he can contribute at a high level for the Mavericks.

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