The team announced Friday that Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki has rejoined the franchise as a special advisor, who will assist with the hiring process of a new general manager and coach and advise on other front-office decisions.
"Mark Cuban approached me for the role of Special Advisor and I am pleased to support our Mavs," Nowitzki said in a statement. “Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle were both mentors and they played huge roles in my career and the success of this franchise, and I am going to miss them. It is important for me now to connect with Mark and contribute as much as I can. ahead."
Nowitzki's return marks a new direction as Mavericks chief after Carlisle resigned on Thursday after 13 years as Mavericks coach. That decision was revealed a day after Nelson left after 24 seasons with the franchise.
Nowitzki, who scored a franchise-record 31,560 points in his 21-year career solely with the Mavericks, has not been involved with the franchise in any official capacity since retiring after the 2018–19 season.
Sources told ESPN that former teammate and current Mavericks executive vice president of basketball operations Michael Finlay and a select group of trusted, longtime employees met with Cuban on Thursday morning to discuss the franchise's path.
Sources said that Jason Kidd, Nowitzki's co-star on the Mavericks' 2010–11 championship team, had been discussed informally among the group as a coaching candidate, but a new head of basketball operations before Cuba could search for coaching. intends to appoint.
Mavericks assistant coach Jamahal Mosley, who has strong ties with Luka Doncic, is expected to be among the candidates to replace Carlisle.
Cuba hired Sportsology, a consulting firm frequently used by NBA teams that hire general managers, to assist in the search for Nelson's replacement.