Dallas Mavericks: Why Dirk Nowitzki shouldn’t retire just yet

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is nearing the end of season 21 in a storied career, but he still has so much more to give

Dirk Nowitzki is arguably having the most fun he’s had in his historic career, and the Dallas Mavericks aren’t even in the playoff picture.

After passing Wilt Chamberlain for sixth on the all time scoring list in a 129-125 overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Dirk has cemented himself as one of the best seven-footers and the best foreign player the game has ever seen.

The trademark, one-legged fadeaway has been implemented into countless player’s arsenals and is just one way that the NBA Champion has left his stamp on the game. So why not just walk away now with practically nothing else to give to the game? Well, it’s because next season could be more than rewarding if he stays.

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Forget this year, the 2019-20 Mavericks could be one of the most fun teams to watch in the NBA and could be a sleeper in the postseason given the right matchup. With the sheer breakout of the runaway Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic, the return of star big Kristaps Porzingis, and the new bench depth that was acquired in the Porzingis trade, this squad has absurd amounts of potential heading into next year.

Not to mention, they have a nice amount of cash to go after a notable free agent once this NBA season ends. With all of that being said, I want to zero in on why Dirk should stay with this team, not just for his sake, but for the sake of Kristaps and Luka’s development.

Having both played in Europe before their moves to the NBA, these young stars have not only come from the same background as Dirk, but you could also argue that both Doncic and Porzingis’ games are modeled after Nowitzki. Games that can stretch well beyond the perimeter that are threats as soon as they get past half court.

In Luka’s case, this is an opportunity for Dirk to develop a 6-foot-7 ball handler that is closing off a rookie season averaging 21-6-7, and he’s only 20! Having already one season of guidance under Nowitzki, it’s scary to think that he can only get better in years to come once he gets full reign of the franchise.

Oh yeah, and his Latvian teammate is pretty good too.

When you draw comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki, you really are a special talent to say the least. Before tearing his ACL in 2017, Kristaps Porzingis was having an all-star year, averaging 22 points, six and a half rebounds, and two and a half blocks per night. Once the shock move to the Dallas came to fruition, pictures of the two big men flooded people’s timelines on social media. It was kind of like a Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel type of moment and there’s an opportunity for so many more of those moments if Dirk sticks around.

We don’t know for certain how the 7-foot-3 Kristaps will play following such a big injury. But, under the mentorship of practically his idol Nowitzki, who was always great at slowing the pace of his game down, which allowed him to put so many miles on his legs, it could be beneficial for K.P. once he hits the hardwood in 2019.

Over the course of his all-time leading 21-year career, Dirk has slowed his production greatly only averaging six points a night over 13 minutes. If he decided to hang ’em up after this year, I don’t think anyone in their right mind would judge him.

Dirk will go down as a Hall of Famer and one of the best to ever do it, but having him on the bench as a player and a locker room figure for year 22 could be all the boost this developing Dallas Mavericks team needs to be a force in the Western Conference for years to come.