KEY POINTS

  • Dirk Nowitzki admitted his era was different from today's NBA
  • Nowitzki shared his thoughts on superteams and blockbuster trades
  • The 2011 NBA Finals MVP doesn't regret sticking with the Dallas Mavericks

A Dallas Mavericks all-time great is not impressed with how blockbuster trades are becoming a trend in the NBA today.

The league has significantly changed over the past two decades, and Dirk Nowitzki has witnessed it firsthand. Back in Nowitzki’s era, the so-called “superteams” did not exist as franchises either relied on one superstar or formed a dynamic duo. More importantly, big-name players don’t often get to pick which team they want to play for as owners get the final say on negotiations.

However, nowadays, most superstars have the liberty to demand or turn down a trade, such as the case of Ben Simmons.

During a recent talk with Sports Illustrated’s “The Crossover” podcast with Chris Mannix and Howard Beck, the Mavs legend revealed his thoughts on the subject. According to Nowitzki, players having better leverage than team owners in negotiations is not a good thing. He also stressed that the NBA should come up with something to tone down this “new” trend.

“It’s new,” the 2011 NBA Finals MVP said. “We always felt like we the players didn’t have enough power at the beginning of my career, and the owners had all the power, could make all the moves.”

“And now it’s almost shifting like a little bit too much. I think there should be a happy medium. But now, the players forcing themselves out, to me, is not the way to go, either,” he continued.

Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki has signed up for his 21st season with the Dallas Mavericks. In this picture, Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Feb. 24, 2016. Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Nowitzki is widely recognized as the player who paved the way for sharpshooting big-men in the league. Despite reaching superstar status during his prime, he never demanded a trade as he believed his “brand” was meant for Dallas.

“I was old school,” the German superstar admitted. “I don’t want to sit here and judge these guys that are doing that [demanding trades]. I think everybody has to know what’s best for themselves, for their career, for their brand - you know, everybody has a brand now - and what’s best for their family. For me, it was staying in Dallas.”

He continued, “It worked out great there. And I’ve had my family there, and I loved it and I grew into that community. So that’s something that just worked for me. But of course, I get it. It’s not for everybody.”

Nowitzki officially retired in 2019 at age 40. He led the Mavs to an NBA title in 2011 and won the Finals MVP. He is also a 14-time NBA All-Star and a member of the NBA 75 team.

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