Dirk Nowitzki eyeing one more year with Dallas Mavericks
Friday 1 March 2019 06:46, UK
Dirk Nowitzki has admitted he is considering entering a 22nd campaign in the NBA by staying with the Dallas Mavericks next season.
The belief around the league was that the 40-year-old German would end his career at the end of the current season.
However, after overcoming injury problems to start the last three games for the Mavs - in which he scored double figures each time - Nowitzki revealed he may not be finished just yet.
"I don't know. I haven't really thought about it," Nowitzki said when asked about retirement. "I would love to be there for the young guys one more year, but I think it depends on how the body feels.
"I've had issues obviously this year. I had some knee swelling here the last few weeks, actually before the All-Star break, so it's not all great.
"But like I said, I am feeling better. I am feeling stronger."
Nowitzki has averaged 20.9 points per game over his career, and has played in 14 NBA All-Star Games - the latest of which came this year.
He also led the Mavs to their only championship in 2011 - being named Finals MVP in the process - but he believes the side will be in good hands should he decide to call it quits at the end of the season.
"I think I'm going to make that [retirement] decision later on, but I think the future's bright," he said.
"I think Luka [Doncic] and Kristaps [Porzingis], if they stay healthy, stay together, they should be a great combo.
"They should play great off each other. Both have an incredible skill set for their size, incredible playmaking ability for their size. They should gel well, but we have to see how it goes next year."
