Dirk Nowitzki keeps saying he hasn’t decided to retire after this season.
Everyone else keeps assuming he will.
The harshest assessment came from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who named Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade (who already announced his impending retirement) specially added All-Stars. Silver said of Nowitzki, “I saw him painfully running up and down the court, and I think it was clear that this was going to be his last season.”
Count Mavericks owner Mark Cuban among those planning on Nowitzki to retire.
Cuban on “The Speed of the Game with Dan Gilbert” podcast:
Maybe Cuban really doesn’t know what Nowitzki will do. But I take these plans for Dallas’ final home game – against the Suns on April 9 – as indication Nowitzki will retire.
I’ve suspected Nowitzki decided to retire but doesn’t want the hoopla of a farewell tour. So, he hasn’t preemptively announced anything. He could have still privately informed people like Silver and Cuban.
But Nowitzki also might truly want to leave the door open for returning.
It’d be cool if he comes back. His 21 seasons are tied with Vince Carter, Kevin Garnet, Kevin Willis and Robert Parish for the most ever. Another year would push Nowitzki ahead, or at least keep him tied with Carter.
And if the Mavericks have to honor him twice, that wouldn’t be so bad.