Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 31
Next
Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) in action during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) in action during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks are doing what they always do: competing for a berth in the NBA Playoffs. The championship aspirations in Dallas are somewhat unfounded, but Rick Carlisle’s crew is severely overachieving in 2015-16.

This isn’t as much about maintaining the quality of the team as it is not angering the fans, but Dallas’ most untouchable asset is Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki has played a vital role in the Mavericks’ overachievement in 2015-16, so much so that he was considered to be an All-Star snub. He’s averaging 17.6 points per game on a slash line of .445/.385/.904, and remains one of the NBA’s most feared clutch scorers.

There are other important players on the roster, but it’s Nowitzki who seems to stabilize the Mavericks’ season whenever things don’t go according to plan.

Beyond his undeniable impact on the court is a fan base that would be furious over Nowitzki’s departure. He’s been with the team since 1998, is the consensus pick for the greatest player in franchise history, and has delivered an NBA championship and a second Finals MVP to the faithful fans.

Nowitzki isn’t necessarily untouchable as a player, but as the icon of Dallas basketball, he simply cannot be moved.

Next: Denver Nuggets