Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is still weeks away from playing in a game. The Mavs forward underwent ankle surgery in April and his recovery has been going slowly.

This year will be Nowitzki’s 21st season with the Mavs, setting an NBA record for the years a player has been with a single team. The future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $5 million deal in July, another bargain deal from the best player in franchise history. It speaks a lot about Nowitzki's willingness to sacrifice.

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In 77 regular season games last season, Dirk Nowitzki averaged 12.0 points (second-worst mark of his career), 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 40.9 percent from 3-point range, and 89.8 percent from the free-throw line. The 7-footer scrimmaged for the first time since his surgery back on Sept. 5 with some of his teammates.

When he is cleared to play by doctors, Nowitzki will come off the bench for Dallas. Rick Carlisle has no reason to start the legendary German and he's been very receptive of his new role. His attitude could easily rub off the team's young players, especially Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr.

The Mavs will be starting Smith, Doncic, Wesley Matthews, Harrison Barnes, and DeAndre Jordan this season.