In just one year, the NBA has had to say goodbye to some greats including Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan due to retirement. Not too far behind them is Celtic great Paul Pierce as he’s in the middle of his farewell tour this season.
However, one player who won’t be calling it quits just yet is Dallas Maverick, Dirk Nowitzki. The big German will forego his 20th season and join Kevin Garnett, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Willis, and Robert Parish as players with 20+ NBA season.
Following from Marc Stein of ESPN.
In his most definitive terms yet, Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki? said Friday that he intends to play next season at age 39.
Speaking to ESPN’s Marc Stein on the TrueHoop Conversations podcast, when asked if his return for the 2017-18 season can be considered a lock now, Nowitzki said: “I think so … unless something drastic changes here in the next few weeks or the last few weeks of the season, which I don’t anticipate.
“I said last summer: I signed a two-year deal [and] that obviously meant I want to play for two more,” Nowitzki continued. “I want to complete that deal.?”
Nowitzki, who will be turning 39 in June, is averaging 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this year for the Mavericks. Although he isn’t as productive as he once was, Nowitzki continues to be the face of the Mavericks after all these years.
After losing some NBA greats to retirement, it’s relieving to know that we’re guaranteed at least one more season of Dirk Nowitzki.
