Dirk Nowitzki has sales pitch for Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony goes to the hoop past Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks during a game at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Dirk Nowitzki hasn't had much success as a salesman.
"I guess they didn't like me," he said of his failed sales pitches to lure marquee free agents such as Deron Williams and Dwight Howard to Dallas.
But he seems willing to try again, and he hopes that Carmelo Anthony buys what he's selling.
Anthony, an unrestricted free agent, is expected to meet with the Mavericks, and Nowitzki is ready to welcome him.
"For sure, if Dallas is on his radar," said Nowitzki, who was participating in the Steve Nash Foundation Showdown at Sara D. Roosevelt Park in Manhattan Wednesday. "He's one of the top scorers we have in this league . . . If that's really a possibility, then we'd love to have him."
Nowitzki is a free agent himself but said he expects to re-sign with the Mavericks, who can offer Anthony a maximum contract of about $96 million over four years.
Nowitzki was happy to be reunited with former teammate Tyson Chandler, whom the Knicks traded to Dallas Wednesday, along with Raymond Felton, for Samuel Dalembert, Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington and two second-round picks.
"He helped me get a championship," Nowitzki said of Chandler, who won a title with the Mavericks in 2011. "We had great chemistry . . . Since I'm the slowest guy in the league right now, probably, it helps to have a fast guy next to me."
Nowitzki added that the Knicks gain one of the league's best shooters in Calderon, who should fit well into the triangle offense. He said Larkin is athletic, quick and has huge upside, but is a raw talent.
As for Anthony, he would take a tremendous load off the 36-year-old Nowitzki on the offensive end.
“Everyone knows that I'm not the guy that wants to hog the ball,” Nowitzki said. “I can play with anybody. I adjust to anybody. If he wants to come, he is more than welcome to."
