Nowitzki: Parsons to pay for all road dinners 'because it's my money anyway'
When Dirk Nowitzki agreed to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks on an insanely team-friendly, three-year, $25 million deal this offseason, it was clear he was making a sacrifice so the Mavs could add to their core.
That's a noble gesture, and a smart one if Nowitzki values a chance for another title over a greater gain in career income, which will reach an estimated $229 million by the end of his new contract. As it turns out, that nobility does not extend to Nowitzki keeping quiet about his sacrifice.
With the savings from Nowitzki's below-market deal, the Mavericks were able to sign Chandler Parsons to a three-year, $46 million offer sheet that the Houston Rockets were unable to match. Parsons was the big addition that Nowitzki's selflessness afforded the team, and Nowitzki expects Parsons to recognize that face.
"I told him every dinner on the road this year is on him," Nowitzki told Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas for an excellent piece on the Parsons-Nowitzki relationship published Tuesday. "Because it's my money anyway."
Hearing Parsons tell it, it seems he'd probably be okay with that reality just to have meals with Nowitzki, whose jersey he used to play in. He even copped to having to pinch himself every so often, making sure the opportunity to study under Nowitzki is real.
"I'm going to be a sponge just trying to learn every little detail from him," Parsons said.
The Mavericks kick off their season on Tuesday against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.