Eventually, it goes to reason the NBA Finals MVP will get back on the court. Whether he does so for the German national team this summer in the FIBA European Basketball Championship is to be determined.
Nowitzki would like to compete for his country and help the team earn a 2012 Olympics berth, but is unsure if he will be able to recover after the longest postseason run of his career, he said in an interview on ESPN Radio in Dallas.
"After a long, long season, one side is the rest factor and going strong into next season. On the other side is obviously my national team that's been good to me," Nowitzki told ESPN 103.3.
Mavs owner Mark Cuban has been a vocal opponent of NBA players competing out of season, and several NBA players have complained of fatigue after competing in international tournaments in the offseason.
Nowitzki was a visible member of the German contingent at the Beijing Olympics, though, and Germany needs to finish at least sixth in the EuroBasket tournament to qualify for the 2012 London games.
