Nowitzki confirms he'll return to Mavericks for 21st season

We haven't seen the last of the great Dirk Nowitzki.

The 39-year-old Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter announced Tuesday that he plans to return for his 21st season in the NBA, according to ESPN's Tim McMahon.

Nowitzki said he decided to undergo surgery on his left ankle last week in hopes that he'll be healthy for the next campaign.

"Hopefully I can play some decent basketball next season," he said, according to the Dallas News' Eddie Sefko. Nowitzki added that if he can't, it's time to go.

Dallas will end this campaign with its worst record since Nowitzki's rookie year in 1998-99. The Mavericks enter Tuesday's matchup at 24-57, tied for third-worst in the Association.

Nowitzki inked a two-year contract with the Mavericks last summer that has a team option for $5 million in 2018-19.

Suiting up for a single organization for 21 years would be unprecedented; Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is the only other player to reach 20 seasons in one uniform.

Nowitzki finishes the year averaging 12 points on 45.6 percent shooting from the field and 40.9 percent from deep, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 77 total appearances.

He's 232 points behind Wilt Chamberlain for fifth place on the all-time scoring list, although he acknowledges that LeBron James will likely pass him before he topples "The Stilt."

"I'll go right back to six," joked Nowitzki. "We already have the all the merchandise and everything."