DALLAS -- Mavericks owner Mark Cuban doesn't see why Dirk Nowitzki can't be an elite player for "at least" three more seasons.

Since his 11-year streak of All-Star appearances was snapped, Nowitzki has averaged 18.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, shooting 49.5 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range.

"What we're seeing now with Dirk is what we can expect to see next year and the year after, if he stays healthy," Cuban said. "And the year after that."

Three more years of All-Star caliber play from a power forward who turns 35 this summer?

"At least," Cuban said.

Nowitzki wasn't so quick to predict the same.

"I'm not sure about all that," said Nowitzki, a 15-year veteran who is averaging the fewest points overall (16.4) since his rookie year after missing the first 27 games of the season following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. "We'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully I can finish this season strong and have a good summer like I basically did last year with a lot of lifting and running and hopefully not have a setback with a surgery. We'll see how consistent I can be again next season."

It's only been a couple of months since Nowitzki was wondering whether he wanted to keep playing after his contract expires next summer. He recently declared that he'd stick around through at least the 2015-16 season, but Nowitzki openly discussed making a transition from go-to guy to a role player in the years to come.