The Dallas Mavericks’ dismissal of Nico Harrison as their general manager might reveal the franchise’s thinking moving forward, as one former player feels that Dirk Nowitzki
might take the chance to become more engaged with their front office.
Former Teammate Feels Dirk Nowitzki Will Be Part of Dallas’ Front Office
On Tuesday (November 11), the Dallas Mavericks made a move seen as inevitable in NBA circles by firing their general manager, Nico Harrison, as the team has gotten off to a woeful start. One former Dallas player sees a silver lining to the move and ventures that Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki might be “more involved” with the front office.
“I think Dirk will be more involved without Nico Harrison in Dallas. They can get back to the culture they had before when they had success.”@ChandlerParsons says the “writing was on the wall” for the Mavs to move on from their GM@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/rsNcPnMvqj
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) November 11, 2025
Former Dallas forward Chandler Parsons spoke about the move on the latest episode of the Run It Back show on FanDuel, along with co-hosts Michelle Beadle and former NBA stars DeMarcus Cousins and Lou Williams.
“It’s no surprise, right?” He began highlighting the trade of superstar Luka Dončic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February for a package of players, including center Anthony Davis.
Parsons spoke about how the “writing was on the wall” with Harrison’s departure, even with the Mavericks landing phenom Cooper Flagg from Duke with the number one pick, and ventured how Nowitzki could have more of a role with the team: “I think Dirk will be more involved without Nico Harrison in Dallas. They can get back to the culture they had before when they had success.”
Dallas announced that Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley will be the team’s co-interim GMs, and that “a comprehensive search will begin for a permanent replacement,” in a statement.
However, Nowitzki’s increased involvement with the Mavericks’ front office is ideal. The most popular player in Dallas’ history and the man who helped bring them their lone NBA championship would seem like a natural choice..
However, he has spoken about having some reluctance in taking on that role, despite initially being eager for the chance. “When I sort of got closer to retirement, the first thing I thought was I’m gonna go into management, I’m gonna go work with the Mavs. It’s a natural fit there, and of course, my last few years, I was sort of prepping for it,” the Hall of Famer said in an interview with the Haymaker Network.
Was an NBA front office position ever a consideration for The GOAT @swish41?
Find out in our very FIRST Haymaker Presents… Dirk Nowitzki. Click the link below to check out the full episode on YouTube and be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode. https://t.co/JnNArpvR8T pic.twitter.com/zQWGaMNjTG
— Haymaker (@HaymakerNetwork) November 10, 2025
Nowitzki was with the team in a special advisory role offered to him by then-owner Mark Cuban two years after his retirement in 2021. But he explained that after some time in the position, there wasn’t any further clarity as to what was expected of him.
The 47-year-old is enjoying time with his family, as well as his latest role as an analyst and broadcaster on Amazon Prime’s NBA crew. “Now, I actually can’t see that in my future, honestly,” Nowitzki said. “Being part of management is just something that would be too much at this point and that’s why I think this gig with Amazon is a good fit.”
The Mavericks could really use Nowitzki’s input right now. Sitting 14th in the West at 3-8, they’re without Anthony Davis due to an abdominal injury and still waiting for Kyrie Irving’s return from his ACL tear. Even though rising star Flagg shows promise, past moves to fuel their 2024 Finals run mean the team’s draft future is tied up until 2031.
