The Dallas Mavericks’ dream of thriving without Luka Dončić is quickly turning into a nightmare. After drafting No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft, fans were optimistic that the team could remain competitive.
But as the Mavericks stumble to a miserable 2–7 start, their offense looks broken, their chemistry off, and now, one of the franchise’s greatest legends has had enough.
What Has Dirk Nowitzki Said Regarding the Mavericks Team?
Dirk Nowitzki, who has been the face of the Mavericks for over two decades, didn’t hold back during his appearance on the Amazon Prime NBA panel following Dallas’ (132–101) defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. The 14-time All-Star delivered what sounded like an early-season eulogy for the Mavericks.
“I feel bad for my Mavs fans. This has been a disastrous start. Obviously, there’s a hole at the point guard and playmaking position. We knew that hole wasn’t filled this summer. There’s a hole at shot creating, at shot making. We said, coming into the season, that health is big for them. Obviously, Kyrie is out for a couple more months.”
“But they need AD healthy, Lively healthy. Both of those guys have only been out for a while. Gafford has missed some games. They’re actually on pace to have a record-bad start on offense. They can’t shoot, they can’t make plays. It’s all going side-to-side, east-to-west; nobody can make shots. It’s been tough to watch,” said Nowitzki during the segment.
Dirk Nowitzki on the Dallas Mavericks:
“I feel bad for my Mavs fans…. They can’t shoot, they can’t make plays… Nobody can make shots. It’s been tough to watch.”
(via @NBAonPrime)
pic.twitter.com/TWABqlnRuY— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) November 8, 2025
And when Nowitzki talks, it carries weight. He arrived in the NBA in 1998 as the ninth pick by Milwaukee, before being traded to Dallas, where he made his debut during the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season. From there, he authored a two-decade-plus run that redefined the franchise. Across that span, he averaged 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, a résumé that makes his critiques less a hot take and more a hard truth.
The hard truth right now? The Mavericks are spiraling. A year ago, through the first nine games, they were 5-4. Today, they’re 2-7, and the numbers match the eye test that Dallas is propping up the league in offensive efficiency at 103.2 (Lowest in the league), which is a figure that reflects choppy play and poor shot quality.
Jason Kidd’s gambit to start Flagg at point guard to cover for Kyrie Irving’s absence and fast-track Flagg’s development hasn’t clicked. Thrown into a lead-creator role, Flagg is averaging 14.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 40.4% from the field and 28.6% from deep. The flashes are there, but the burden is heavy and the mistakes are costly.
“Cooper, I would just keep working. I know you have a tremendous work ethic, so you’ll work your way through it. Come in the next day, be the first one in the gym, get shots up, get with an assistant coach, watch film, and just get better,” added Nowitzki.
It isn’t just the rookie. Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson have been underperforming by their standards, and it’s dragging the team’s ceiling down. Davis is averaging 20.8 points a night but has battled lower-leg soreness, missing time, and softened his trademark defensive presence.
Thompson, after a slow start, has slid to the bench and is managing only 7.6 points per game, his efficiency wobbling and his gravity not stretching defenses the way Dallas needs, prompting Kidd’s demotion as the offense gasps for air.
Where do they go from here? Get healthy, simplify, and reassign roles. Nowitzki’s message wasn’t cruel, but it was a challenge. If no one can make shots right now, fix the process so the right ones start falling.
