It’s been a turbulent stretch for the Dallas Mavericks-one that’s seen franchise-altering decisions, front office shakeups, and now, a concerted effort to rebuild not just the roster, but the team’s identity.
The biggest domino to fall? Luka Dončić.
The Mavericks traded away their generational star-a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA and left fans stunned. The decision was part of former GM Nico Harrison’s vision, but it backfired quickly.
Losses piled up, the chemistry never clicked, and Harrison was eventually shown the door. But the fallout from that trade went far beyond the standings.
It fractured the relationship with the face of the franchise-Dirk Nowitzki.
Dirk has long been the heart and soul of the Mavericks. Twenty-one seasons.
Fourteen All-Star appearances. An MVP.
And, of course, the unforgettable 2011 championship run that cemented his legacy in Dallas and league history. He’s not just a Mavericks legend-he is the Mavericks.
For years, Dirk maintained a strong connection with the team, even after retirement. But that bond began to fray when Harrison took the reins.
One of the flashpoints was the dismissal of Casey Smith, the longtime director of health and performance-a move Dirk reportedly didn’t support. And then came the Dončić trade, which, according to those close to the situation, was the final straw.
But with new ownership in place, there’s a renewed effort to right the ship-and that starts with repairing the relationship with Nowitzki.
Patrick Dumont, the team’s new owner, has made reconnecting with Dirk a top priority. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Dumont has already reached out in hopes of bringing the Hall-of-Famer back into the fold in a meaningful way.
“Patrick Dumont has reached out in an effort to begin repairing that relationship,” MacMahon said on the Howdy Partners podcast. “And I think that Dirk is open-minded… in terms of being a part of the franchise moving forward.”
That’s a big deal. Because Dirk’s not interested in being a ceremonial figurehead.
He’s not going to sit courtside, wave to the crowd, and collect applause just for showing up. If he’s going to be involved, he wants to be involved-with a voice, with influence, with purpose.
“I don’t think Dirk is going to be interested in just going and waving to the crowd and kind of being a beauty queen,” MacMahon added. “I think if he’s going to be involved, he’s actually going to be in a situation where he’s giving input.”
To be clear, this doesn’t mean the Mavericks are handing him the keys to the front office. He’s not being considered for president of basketball operations. But the door is open for a more substantial role-something that goes beyond honorary titles and halftime tributes.
“He’s not a candidate for the president of basketball operations, let me be real clear,” MacMahon emphasized. “But I do think there is a possibility that Dirk could be in some way, shape, or form part of the front office moving forward.”
And that’s exactly what this franchise needs right now.
The Mavericks can’t undo the Dončić trade. That chapter is written.
But what they can do is restore the culture and values that defined their most successful era-values that Dirk embodied every single night he wore a Mavericks jersey. Rebuilding that bridge isn’t just about nostalgia-it’s about building a foundation for the future.
Because when your most iconic player is not only willing to return but to invest himself in the next chapter of the franchise, you listen. You collaborate. And if you’re smart, you give him the platform to help shape what comes next.
The Mavericks are at a turning point. And bringing Dirk Nowitzki back into the fold-on his terms-might just be the smartest move they’ve made in a long time.