Dirk Nowitzki has stated several times that he wants to finish his career with the Dallas Mavericks, but also doesn't want to be fighting for a playoff spot every season.
Dallas has made the playoffs 12 consecutive seasons, but they sit more than two games behind the Utah Jazz for the eight seed in the Western Conference with just a handful of games remaining.
Nowitzki will be a free agent after next season, bringing his future with the Mavericks into question.
"Now that I already reached my goal (of winning it all), I really want to finish my career in Dallas," Nowitzki said. "But saying all that, I don't want another year next year with the same as this year, (with) the frustration and playing for the eight or nine seed. I think we all know that this is a very big summer for us. (Mavericks general manager) Donnie (Nelson) knows. (Mark) Cuban knows. We want to get back to the championship level."
Nowitzki said "I think it's going to be a big summer for us."
After striking out on Deron Williams last summer, the Mavericks signed and acquired a bunch of players on short-term deals as to not compromise their salary situation going forward.
"Of course he doesn't want to fight for an eighth seed in the future; none of us do," Cuban said. "Beyond that, like he has told me and the world, he can't see himself being anywhere else."
