FRISCO, TEXAS — Dallas Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowitzki leaned his "Heroes" baseball cap back from his face, took a deep breath, and maybe, unknowingly, broke a critically important piece of Deron Williams recruiting news on Friday at his charity baseball event.
"I told him I got a little something in the tank, too, for two more years," Nowitzki said.
Yes, "the pitch" has started. And Dirk is involved.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will be stationed in Los Angeles (that's customary for him, and it's also the base for various NBA sports agents).
Jason Kidd is vacationing with Williams in the Hamptons, and Mavs fans hope Kidd — himself a free agent — is attempting to lure Deron back to his hometown rather than back to the New Jersey Nets.
Delonte West (yet another Mavericks free agent) has spoken from the heart to Deron on Twitter, detailing the greatness of the Dallas organization.
Coach Rick Carlisle and GM Donnie Nelson are ready to be "troops on the ground," too.
But Nowitzki carries a big stick (though not necessary a big bat, as his batting practice for the charity event resulted in nothing more than a few seeing-eye-ball singles).
"I think he's still undecided," Nowitzki said. "He honestly is. I thought he might make a decision quick and get it out of the way. But I really think he's torn. He's got two great owners, two great organizations. And obviously, I think Jersey, with the move to Brooklyn is even more appealing."
Nowitki is now Dallas/Fort Worth's adopted, and favorite, son. He says Deron-to-Dallas would be "very special for the city."
"It's a tough decision," said Dirk of Williams, who is from The Colony/Carrollton area, as is his wife. "We're going to keep recruiting and hopefully we'll get some good news this week.”
Nowitzki says he doesn't believe a "hard sell" is necessary.
"Obviously, I know him," Nowitzki said. "We've played in multiple All-Star games together. We can talk amongst players. But I don't feel I need to pitch much. He knows the organization. He knows what we have here. He knows what the city's like. He grew up here. I think he knows what he has here."
