NBA Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Lock In Dirk Nowitzki Contract; Rajon Rondo Target Return To Chandler Parsons Team

By Mitch de Leon
Dirk Nowitzki
Washington Wizards v/s Dallas Mavericks October 9, 2009 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Keith Allison/Flickr CC

The Dallas Mavericks are pushing hard to climb the Western Conference, which has the Golden State Warriors on top, this NBA season. At number nine in the Stephen Curry division, the Chandler Parsons squad would need to get past tough teams such as the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs. With the potential return of Dirk Nowitzki to the roster next NBA season, can the Dallas Mavericks finally reach the level of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference then?

Nowitzki, who has been with the Dallas Mavericks since 1998, is targeting a few more years in the NBA. While the 37-year-old has been rumored to be mulling over retirement after this season, it looks like the legendary power forward still has more years left in him. Moreover, Nowitzki appears to be looking into possibly following the footsteps of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

"I still have next year on my contract, even though I could opt out of I wanted to this summer, but my goal was I'm gonna sign this three-year deal to fulfill that contract," said Nowitzki of his pending free agency. He added, "So if I play next year through by that point, I'll be 39. And to be quite honest, 20 years would sound really, really great, and next year would be my 19th year, so maybe after this next year, I could sign on one more, but I'll just have to wait and see at this point."

The Dallas Mavericks power forward also shared that his performance in the current NBA season is promising. Nowitzki further noted that he has not been as injured as the other basketball stars in the league. Pointing out his lack of dependence on therapies and meds, the veteran shared that the primary factor that determines his decision to stay with the NBA is whether or not he still enjoys his work.

He shared, "This season I've felt good. Next season we'll see how it goes and then I can make that decision with my family, with the people who've been working with me so long. I can make that decision if I'll play for one more season. But as long as I'm getting up in the morning and it's still fun and I don't have to take a bunch of meds to play, then I'll probably play one more."

Meanwhile, Rajon Rondo appears to be looking back to his time with the Dallas Mavericks. Reminiscing about his past, the Sacramento Kings star talks about the system he played under. Does this mean that Rondo wants to go back to the Dallas Mavericks?

The answer seems to be in the negative.

"Yeah, I want them to get their plane ticket as soon as we get ours," said Rondo of the NBA playoff chances of the Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings. He added, "So anytime we can help...if we're not going to make the playoffs, then let's help some of these guys go home with us."

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