Skip to main content

Mavs owner Cuban says Nowitzki will always have place with franchise

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is well aware that the end is coming when it relates to the playing days of one of the greats in Mavs history, that being Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki is now in his 21st season in the NBA, and many think, despite Dirk himself not saying anything, that the 2018-19 season will be his last.

Cuban, appearing on radio station 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, is fully aware this could be the swan song for the big man of the franchise, but also says as of now nothing is official.

"We haven't discussed it," Cuban said. "He's trying to decide if he's going to take some time off or not."

While it sounds like Nowitzki's playing days are for certain coming to an end, the Mavs owner didn't hesitate to say that Dirk will have a place with the franchise after he retires.

"He can do whatever he wants. He's earned it. I don't care," Cuban said. "Whatever he wants to do, Dirk can do ... the answer's yes."

Nowitzki is a legend in Dallas, and it's not a stretch to say that he's the most popular player in franchise history, so it would be wise to keep him in the mix for Cuban and his team.

It was Nowitzki who brought Cuban the sports biggest prize in 2011 when he was a huge part in leading the Mavs to their only NBA title, topping LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Now 40 years old, Nowitzki has not been able to play much this season, but overall his career numbers speak volumes of what he has meant to the Mavericks -- 21.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game and shooting 38.2 percent from three-point range. A likely Hall of Famer when he walks away, expect Nowitzki to continue to have an impact on the Mavs franchise for years to come.