“I keep thinking whether the last two years in the NBA were really worth it” – Dirk Nowitzki admits he regrets not retiring sooner originally appeared on Basketball Network.
By the time Dirk Nowitzki played his final game in 2019, he had spent 21 seasons in a Dallas Mavericks jersey.
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His career had stretched across three decades, five presidents and more than 1,500 games, including the playoffs. He had brought Dallas its only championship, scored more points than every player in NBA history not named LeBron, Kareem, Malone, Kobe, Jordan or Chamberlain, and built a legacy grounded in loyalty.
But looking back, he wonders whether the final stretch was worth what it cost him.
“I keep thinking whether the last two years in the NBA were really worth it,” Nowitzki said in 2022. “Of course, there were highlights, but we didn’t perform well on the court, and I couldn’t even really move anymore. If I had quit two years earlier, I could probably move better today and play soccer with the kids sometimes. I can’t do that at all now.”
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The Mavericks were rebuilding while Dirk broke down
Nowitzki played through the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons at age 39 and 40.
The Mavericks were no longer contenders, and by that point, the organization had fully shifted into a rebuilding phase.
They went 24–58 in 2017–18, finishing 13th in the West. They followed that with a 33–49 record in 2018–19, missing the playoffs again. Nowitzki played 128 games across those two seasons, but he was no longer able to move like he once could. His production fell sharply — he averaged just 12.0 points in 2017–18, then just 7.3 the following year. His field goal percentage dropped from 45.6 percent to 35.9 percent, and his usage was the lowest it had ever been.
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He played only 15 minutes per game in his final season, down from over 30 minutes per game during his prime. Most of his touches came from spot-up opportunities or pick-and-pop actions where he didn’t need to move much off the ball. He couldn’t switch on defense. He couldn’t sprint in transition.
But by 2019, even basic lateral movement had become a struggle. His knees and ankles had taken a beating. His back required constant maintenance. He spent long stretches on stationary bikes just to stay loose enough to check into games.
Despite his physical limitations, he stayed available. He suited up when he could, accepted a bench role and became more of a ceremonial figure than an active contributor. He never made it about himself, but everyone watching could see that the game no longer came easily. His shot still had touch. Everything else had slipped away.
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The goodbye felt right
Fans celebrated Nowitzki throughout his farewell season.
He was honored in nearly every arena he visited. He received framed jerseys, standing ovations and video tributes. The NBA invited him to the 2019 All-Star Game alongside Dwyane Wade as a special roster addition.
His final home game in Dallas featured appearances from Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Larry Bird and other legends. His retirement night was emotional and deeply appreciated by Mavericks fans who had grown up watching him.
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The goodbye itself was powerful. The decision to play long enough to receive it, however, came with consequences. Nowitzki has said he can no longer run or jump. He cannot play soccer with his children.
The mileage of two extra seasons, at a time when his body had already broken down, left behind pain that never fully healed.
He had already passed 30,000 points. He had already won a championship in 2011 and stayed with the same franchise through all its ups and downs. He remained because that was who he was.
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He wanted to help guide Luka Doncic as the next face of the franchise. He wanted to leave on his own terms.
However, in the years since retiring, he has spoken more openly about what the final phase of his career took from him. The wear and tear added up.
But then again, he was Dirk — one of the rare faces who everyone just loves.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.