Dallas Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki has praised Australian team-mate Andrew Bogut for selflessly offering to give up his role as starting centre on the struggling NBA team.
Bogut suggested it might be best for the Mavericks if he began games on the bench and Nowitzki shifted from forward to centre.
Nowitizki and Bogut both stand at 213cm tall and the German veteran admitted when they are paired "it hasn't looked great", but he was not ready to give up on the big man tandem.
"That's a veteran move," Nowitzki, responding to Bogut's offer to start games from the bench, told reporters.
"That's a guy who has obviously been around and won a championship.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Everybody has got to sacrifice a little.
"I still think that when I'm completely healthy and on my normal minutes that somehow we got to play together."
Bogut said last week the NBA has become a "small ball" league where "two bigs, against most teams, doesn't work".
The 38-year-old Nowitzki is often forced to guard smaller, more mobile opponents when Bogut is on the court.
Injuries and sickness have dogged Nowitzki and Bogut this season, but with both expected to be fit for Tuesday's (Wednesday AEDT) game against the Washington Wizards and the team desperate for a win, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle could take up Bogut's offer.
However, he has refused to show his hand.
"We've got the option of doing anything," Carlisle said.
The Mavericks have the second worst record in the NBA's Western Conference with 10 wins and 24 losses.
