Dirk Nowitzki still not thinking of retirement until at least 2017

Whenever the time for retirement comes, Dirk Nowitzki doesn't want the Derek Jeter treatment.

The Dallas Mavericks star kicked off the 2015-16 season at media day Monday by answering questions about his eventual retirement, a day he said isn't coming for at least two years. And when it does, he won't give advanced notice in the interest of fanfare:

Obviously it gets closer, but it's not like I'm thinking of the beach every day. I want to play two more years under contract here, hopefully at a high level, compete, hopefully be efficient when I'm out there.

And then retirement obviously comes soon enough.
...
That's the worst thing that I can think of, (having to) talk about every day. When I'm gone, I'm gone. That's how it's going to go.

Nowitzki is under contract through 2016-17 but owns an $8.7-million player option for next season. His comments suggest he plans to play out that option year, something he's hinted at in the past, though things can change.

The Mavericks have continued to try to surround Nowitzki with the pieces to contend and help him win a second championship. After losing DeAndre Jordan from their grasp, oddsmakers don't seem particularly enthusiastic about the job Dallas has done creating a contender, giving them the 10th-best odds at the title, seventh among West teams.

A late-career decline from the sharpshooting German could further hurt the Mavericks chances, though he's shown little sign of slowing down. At age 36, Nowitzki averaged 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds this season, shooting 45.9 percent from the floor and 38 percent from long range. Those numbers don't necessarily match up with his career rates, but they're remarkable for someone in his 17th NBA season.

After passing Moses Malone for seventh in all-time NBA scoring last season, Nowitzki said he'll take aim at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career scoring record, even if he has to play until he's 60. Head coach Rick Carlisle laid out a more realistic goal, suggesting Nowitzki could land fifth all-time before his deal runs out.