Cuban: 'Dirk can play until he's 50'
Through thick and thin, Dirk Nowitzki has always stood by the Dallas Mavericks. He's carried the franchise for nearly two decades.
So if Nowitzki wants to opt out and re-sign for another two or three years, team owner Mark Cuban has absolutely no qualms.
"Dirk can play until he's 50. It's not like he can get any slower," Cuban told Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday.
Upon returning from vacation, Nowitzki met with Cuban and Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson to discuss the future of the franchise and what was best for both he and the team.
"Obviously, we want to take a step forward again," Nowitzki said. "There are some names out there that obviously we'd love to have (in free agency), but we all know how that worked the last few years. Sometimes, there's some luck involved.
"But it's not for lack of trying. Mark and Donnie always have tried their best to keep this a winning franchise and a playoff franchise. I don't think anything else is planned but that."
Nowitzki famously signed a bargain three-year, $24-million contract in 2014 to give the Mavericks financial flexibility. However, the team failed to sign any impact free agents on par with Nowitzki's talents. Instead, they whiffed on Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and other big name players before settling on a roster that barely squeaked into the playoffs this season.
Nevertheless, the bond between franchise player and ownership remains strong. Cuban is more than happy to have Nowitzki back after yet another strong season.
"Dirk gets to do whatever he wants to do," Cuban said. "Period. End of story. I told him when we met the other day, 'Dirk gets to do whatever Dirk wants to do.' Dirk wants to be the head chef, Dirk wants to be the head coach, we'll move Rick (Carlisle) over a little bit. Dirk has done so much for this franchise that he's earned that opportunity."
The 37-year-old Nowitzki averaged 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds last season across 75 starts. He has spent his entire 18-year career in Dallas.