The Dallas Mavericks have been reportedly trying to bring back former franchise legend, Dirk Nowitzki to the organization. The iconic forward led the Western Conference side to its only NBA championship in 2011.
Mavericks Want Dirk Nowitzki Back Amid Team’s Dismal 2025-26 NBA Season
As the team continues to struggle this season, the Mavericks “badly want” the Hall of Famer to return and work in any role he chooses. NBA insider Marc Stein has revealed the state of affairs in Dallas as the team sits 11th in the West after a grim four-game losing streak.
Marc Stein’s latest Substack revealed Dallas’s urgency to bring Nowitzki back to the fold. The 14-time NBA All-Star currently serves as an analyst for Amazon Prime’s NBA studio show. He also serves as a special adviser to the Mavericks.
“The Mavericks badly want Nowitzki to return to the organization and have conveyed to him that he can do so in any role he chooses, but the 47-year-old has focused this season on his new job as a studio analyst for Amazon as well as his various duties and travel obligations as a FIBA board member and global ambassador for the sport’s international governing body,” Stein wrote.
It has been a season to forget for the Mavericks. With Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis out with injuries, the team has fallen well short of championship contention status.
Earlier, Nowitzki spoke of the team’s poor start. “I feel bad for my Mavs fans,” he told NBA on Prime. “This has been a disastrous start, obviously. There’s a hole at point guard and the playmaking position. We knew that hole wasn’t filled this summer, so there’s a hole in shot creation, there’s a hole in shot making. We said coming into the season that health is big for them.”
“Obviously, Kyrie’s out for a couple more months. You need AD healthy, you need Lively healthy, and both of those guys have already been out for a while. Gafford has missed some games, so it’s been just a disaster start.”
MORE: Mavericks Legend Dirk Nowitzki Makes Feelings Clear on Cooper Flagg’s 3-Point Shooting Struggles
Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg has been the sole bright spot for Dallas this season. The young forward has been impressive, averaging 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 48.4% from the field and 29.9% from deep.
The former Duke star has also been the most durable player for the Mavericks, suiting up for 45 of the 49 games played so far. Naji Marshal and P.J. Washington have been the other two major contributors on offense with 14.6 and 14.2 points per game, respectively.
At the time of writing, there is no official comment from Nowitzki on whether he would return to a more front office-heavy role for the Mavericks.
