Dirk Nowitzki hasn't changed his mind about being "all in" for this season. Nor has he thrown in the towel on playing in 2017-18, which would be his 20th as a Maverick and has been his stated goal for finishing his career in proper fashion.
The only hiccup is if his body does not cooperate.
Nowitzki was quoted by the German sports magazine Bild as saying that if his body deteriorates to the point that he can't compete the way he wants, his retirement could happen at the end of this season. But, again, that's not his plan.
"If things don't go well and it hurts everywhere, it could be that 2017 is the end," Nowitzki said. "Actually, my plan is to complete the 20 years and play for Dallas until 2018. But just because I have signed a two-year contract doesn't automatically mean that I will play for two years. It could happen next year."
That's not a revelation by Nowitzki. He's said that the two-year contract he signed during the summer (at $25 million per season) would not bind him to playing in 2017-18. That's why the second season is at his option.
Before the season began, he said he was eyeing a 20-year career. And clearly, he has no desire to play anywhere else than with the Mavericks. As recently as 10 days ago, Nowitzki said he was "all in" on getting back in action this season.
The variable for Nowitzki is his strained right Achilles that continues to keep him from getting on the court. He's missed all but five games this season.
Nowitzki has been aggressively working in the weight room and has been putting in hard sprints on the stationary bicycle, frequently with media members nearby while surrounding owner Mark Cuban during interviews.
Nowitzki has every intention of returning to play as soon as possible, but said on Tuesday at a holiday appearance that he had no estimation of when that will be. What the Mavericks don't want is Nowitzki to come back compensating somewhere else to protect his Achilles and risking a different injury.
Obviously, much will depend on how Nowitzki's body responds when he does get back on the court. If he can't contribute to the good of the team, he won't play. That's how he's wired.
But the Mavericks' training staff has laid out a rehab plan that, they hope, will give the 7-footer the best chance to return and have a productive second half of the season.
If that happens, it's difficult to see Nowitzki not returning for a 20th season, even if he does opt out of his final season and sign for a different amount for 2017-18.
