Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki plans on playing out remainder of contract

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki plans on finishing out the final two years of his contract before deciding on retirement, he told USA Today’s Sam Amick on Thursday.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki plans on finishing out the final two years of his contract before deciding on retirement, he told USA Today’s Sam Amick on Thursday.

Nowitzki signed a three-year, $25 million deal in the summer of 2014.

“I always said that when the body is hurting every day, and when you’ve got to do all this extra stuff to just play, I think that’s when it’s time to go,” Nowitzki said. “But I feel good...I don’t need to pop a thousand pills to play or practice. So as long as that’s still good, and it’s still fun to go. I’m going to definitely ride this contract out (this season and next). I don’t know. We’ll see what happens after that.”

Nowitzki is eight games into his 18th NBA season, and has maintained his effectiveness into his late thirties. The 13-time all-star posted 31 points and 11 rebounds in Wednesday’s 118–108 win over the Clippers, and has started the 2015–16 season shooting 55.3% from the field, and 51.6% from three.

The Mavericks host the Lakers at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday night.

- Kenny Ducey