Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dirk Nowitzki rejoins Mavericks as special adviser, will assist in coaching search

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/18/21

The Dallas Mavericks lost their general manager and head coach this week, but they gained a very valuable asset.

According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is rejoining the franchise as a special adviser and will help the team search for replacements for Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle.

Nowitzki spent his entire career in Dallas, leading the Mavericks to a title in 2011. He was named MVP in 2006-07 and is a 14-time All-Star.

After just two seasons of retirement, Nowitzki, who turns 43 on Saturday, is holding off on taking an everyday role with the team. But he tells @NYTSports that -- after the departures of Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle -- he is assisting Cuban on Dallas' search processes.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 18, 2021

"Mark approached me and asked me to help out and of course I said yes," Nowitzki told @NYTSports. "Any way I can help my Mavs, I'm in."
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 18, 2021

Nelson exited Dallas Wednesday after 24 years with the franchise and Carlisle announced Thursday he would not return as head coach after 13 seasons.

The return of Nowitzki comes amid uncertainty regarding the future of the franchise. Before Nelson and Carlisle left, there were reports Luka Doncic is frustrated with Mavericks director of quantitative research and development Haralabos Voulgaris.

Reports also stated that Doncic was upset about Nelson's departure. However, he probably wasn't as disappointed with Carlisle's exit as there was "simmering tension" between the two, which concerned the Mavericks.

Hopefully bringing Nowitzki onboard satisfies Doncic. If it doesn't, they might be looking for another franchise superstar in the future.

More must-reads: