It's time to let Nowitzki go

Dirk Nowitzki is the greatest basketball player to ever wear a Mavericks uniform. Case closed. And he has done everything one single player could do to elevate a slightly above average team to greater heights than it has earned, such as 50-wins in each of the last 10 seasons. Dirk is a lock for the NBA Hall of Fame. All he needs now is a ring, signifying an NBA title.

The problem is he is never going to earn one wearing a Dallas Mavericks uniform and right now I am rooting for Dirk to win an NBA championship far more than I am hoping the Mavericks win one.

That's why I really hope the Big German tests the free agent waters this off-season. Of course, no team is going to offer him the moohlah that the Mavericks can. But I've never pictured Nowitzki as an extravagant free-spender so I'm figuring he has sufficient bucks in the bank to play for a little less than the $21 million the Mavericks will pay him in return for a shot at the eliusive jewelry,

Kevin Garnett served his time in purgatory with Minnesota, then was traded to Boston where he won a title. Now it's Dirk's turn. Can you imagine how the face of professional basketball would be altered if either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Orlando Magic offered Dirk a deal? Any team on which Dirk Nowitzky is the second best player is a lock for an NBA title.

The Cavaliers would he a natural choice. Cleveland is going to do everything it can to keep LeBron James from leaving and adding Nowitzki, I'm convinced, would do just that. And the one missing element from the Mavericks has always been a force in the middle. Can you imagine how Dirk and Orlando would be elevated with Dwight Howard pulling some coverage away from the perimeter, leaving Dirk more room to roam?

I would love to see Dirk on the same team with either James or Howard and playing for an NBA title. He's earned the right.