Dirk Nowitzki is widely regarded as the greatest player in Dallas Mavericks history. While he has expressed disappointment over the timing of Nico Harrison’s firing, he was against the fateful Luka Dončić trade, and rumors are swirling that he could be the team’s next GM.
Adding fuel to the speculation, the former Finals MVP made a special appearance at Saturday night’s Mavericks-Rockets game, receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the home crowd.
The NBA Player Guessing Game allows you to guess the NBA player based on clues about their team, division, height, jersey number, points, and experience.
Dirk Nowitzki Receives Warm Welcome on Return to Dallas’ Arena
Nowitzki, who spent his entire 21-year NBA career with the Mavericks, arrived at the American Airlines Center ahead of the second quarter alongside his son. The former Finals MVP was greeted with a long, loud cheer from the home crowd, the same fans he helped deliver the franchise’s first NBA title to.
On the court, the Mavericks featured both Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg, combining for 48 points as Dallas secured an impressive 13-point win over the Rockets in Nowitzki’s presence. Earlier, the 47-year-old appeared on “NBA on Prime,” voicing his displeasure over the timing of Harrison’s firing.
“This move should have probably happened this summer, honestly,” said Nowitzki. “I didn’t want this negative energy and this black cloud over the Cooper Flagg era, but here we are now.”
Nowitzki also criticized the Dončić trade, noting that it “made no sense” and was understandably difficult for the passionate Mavericks fanbase to accept.
“I just knew,” he said. “I figured this fan base is a passionate and loyal fan base. I was lucky enough to experience it for 21 years. … They’re extremely passionate. And this trade just made no sense. It made no sense to [the fans]. And, really, there was no explanation for it, either.”
The Mavericks were coming off an NBA Finals appearance courtesy of Dončić, but failed to make the playoffs following his departure. Resentment toward Harrison grew as “Fire Nico” chants became a regular feature at the American Airlines Center, and he was eventually let go in early November.
Former NBA champion Kevin Love recently suggested Nowitzki, who currently serves as a special advisor in Dallas, could be a strong candidate for the GM role. “I mean, he has a statue out front. I’m sure he would do a great job,” Love said.
“He just knows the game, but I also think the sweat equity and him being the face of that franchise maybe forever and always,” added Love. “I think that he would do whatever he could to make that place special again. I think he would put a lot of good people in place, Dirk is very smart, he’s a guy who influenced my basketball career probably more than anyone.
“So if I’m a betting man, I’m betting on Dirk Nowitzki to do a great job at whatever he does.”
While Nowitzki hasn’t publicly expressed interest in the position and lacks extensive front-office experience, he remains the most beloved Maverick of all time. His potential hiring would certainly be unconventional, but few figures in franchise history are as iconic or respected as Nowitzki in Dallas.