After yet another early playoff exit, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and the team’s longtime #1 option, Dirk Nowitzki, have some tough choices to make this coming off season. Although it’s hard to imagine him playing elsewhere, Dirk now must chose whether to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Mavericks and instantly become one of the big fish in the much anticipated 2010 free agent frenzy this Summer.
Although he is arguably one of the Top 10 hardest to guard players in the entire NBA because of his amazing shooting stroke as a 7 footer, there are now lingering concerns over whether Dirk can still be a #1 option, especially considering Dallas’ inability to win an NBA title despite having a very talented supporting cast, and his ever advancing age. Although he’s not ancient, Dirk will turn 32 by the time next season rolls around, which is a few years older than his soon to be free agent contemporaries like Lebron James(age 25), Dwyane Wade(age 28), and Chris Bosh(age 26). With that being said, Nowitzki could be an excellent fall back option if a club like the NY Knicks or NJ Nets are unable to lure James or Wade to play in the NY metro area.
A team like the Knicks, who already have a blueprint for landing Lebron, and could have the financial means to also add a big name supporting player alongside James, could be a destination for the former ’07 NBA MVP. And although already wildly popular all around the league, a Dirk Nowitzki #41 Knicks jersey would surely be one of the top selling jerseys next season. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Some of our Hoopdoctors staff writers have already raised concerns that Dallas will never win with Dirk as the go-to-guy. Although I’ve always been a big fan, I am now leaning towards agreeing with my writing colleagues especially since the Mavs folded early again this season after having arguably their most talented roster ever to support Nowitzki. Unfortunately whenever a player, even if they are an all-time great, will always be judged by whether they can lead a team to the promised land, or in other words an NBA title. Look no further than Hall of Famer Charles Barkley who will never live up to the heights reached by his 80’s and 90’s era buddies, named Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, who won 11 titles to Barkley’s 0 during the same era.
After the Mavericks lost 4-2 to the suddenly surging San Antonio Spurs last week, Nowitzki’s comments after losing Game 6, left a lot open to speculation about his future plans considering he made no mention of his “heart belongs to Dallas” or even a hint of coming back next season.
“I wanted to obviously have a long playoff run here and go for my dream again.” “And now I’m just obviously too shocked and too disappointed. I haven’t really thought anything about my future yet. I guess I’ve got some time now to think about some stuff, think about my options.”
Would Mark Cuban consider re-signing Nowitzki to a lesser deal as a complimentary player? As a astute businessman, Cuban always has to look at the bottom line. Conversely, does it make sense to bring back Dirk as a max player even if he cannot deliver an NBA Championship to the city of Dallas? Would Dirk even consider a percieved demotion as a 2nd option player either in Dallas or elsewhere? Between now and next season there are a lot of questions to be answered by both Cuban and Nowitzki. Buckle up, it could be a bumpy ride this off-season in Dallas.
Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.
