When the subject of loyalty in the NBA comes up, only a handful of names truly stand out, and Dirk Nowitzki is always among them. The Dallas Mavericks icon built a career defined not only by his brilliance on the court but also by his commitment to one franchise.
While many superstars chose to chase bigger contracts or brighter markets, Nowitzki stayed faithful to the Mavericks for his whole career. During his 21-season career, Nowitzki became the cornerstone of the franchise. His success and influence helped pave the way for today’s European stars.
It wasn’t as though Nowitzki lacked opportunities to leave. In 2014, both the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets reportedly offered him massive contracts worth $92 million. Yet Dirk turned them down and chose instead to remain loyal to Dallas. In fact, he even sacrificed financially by taking $67 million less to sign a three-year, $25 million extension with the Mavericks.
On the court, Nowitzki became the face of the Mavericks, guiding them to 15 playoff appearances and two trips to the NBA Finals. His greatest moment came in 2011, when he carried Dallas past the Miami Heat to win the franchise’s first championship. His remarkable performances earned him the Finals MVP award.
Dirk Nowitzki Reflects On Luka Doncic’s Shocking Trade
In a recent conversation with Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki shared his thoughts on the stunning Luka Doncic trade. Dirk admitted even he was caught off guard by the magnitude of the move.
“I agree. Nobody saw this coming. This was not just basketball news; this was world news. I was actually traveling somewhere, and this was all over TV, and I was surprised at how big the news was. It was a tough decision the club had to make,” Dirk said.
For years, Doncic was seen as the natural successor to Nowitzki. Many believed he would be the one to deliver another title to the city. But that vision came to a halt when the February trade abruptly ended his run in Dallas.
The post How Dirk Nowitzki’s $67M Pay Cut Secured His Legacy With The Dallas Mavericks originally published on Total Pro Sports.