Dirk Nowitzki has become the essence of the Dallas Mavericks spending 19 years of his illustrious career with the franchise with the 2017-18 NBA season in progress. However, there have been a few scenarios that have arisen where he could have taken his talents elsewhere on the free agent market.
One of which was possibly joining the Los Angeles Lakers as Nowitzki recently revealed to Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report that future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant had once made a pitch to him to join forces.
“I mean, I don't really have an agent, so I'm not even sure how people get in touch with me,” he said. He added that Kobe Bryant tried to recruit him to the Los Angeles Lakers once when he was a free agent—he can't recall the exact year—but he never gave leaving Dallas much thought.
The possible pairing of Bryant and Nowitzki could have created a major shift of powers in the Western Conference with two of top players of their generation playing on the same team. This likely free agency pitch came when the 39-year-old was still in the prime of his career as one of the best big men in the league.
Depending on when this conversation had arisen, it could have formed a formidable trio with Bryant, Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol all still playing the best basketball of their respective careers. That said, the fact that he never truly considered ever leaving the Mavericks speaks to his strong commitment to the franchise even though their continued shortcomings in the playoffs. It had all paid off with an NBA title that has helped complete his career.
This unwavering loyalty to the franchise has remained in the latter years of his career where he could have joined another team to pursue an NBA title. Instead, he has only further cemented his Hall of Fame legacy by choosing to spend all of NBA career with the Mavericks.
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