'I’m Always a Phone Call Away:' Dirk Nowitzki Opens Up About Role With Dallas Mavericks After Luka Dončić Trade

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t consult franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki before trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 NBA season.

Nowitzki doesn’t have a big role with the Mavericks right now, but he told Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News that he’s “always a phone call away” if the franchise wants to speak with him.

“I’m still sort of involved, but not really on the day-to-day,” Dirk Nowitzki said. “I tried that a couple of years ago. It was a little weird for me to be there and not really knowing my role. Since then, I’ve kind of pulled back a bit again. The last two years, I really haven’t been involved in anything front office related.

“Speaking of the Luka trade, I was as surprised and as shocked as everybody. I had no idea this was even in the works. Obviously, the Mavs know that I’m a phone call away if anything is ever needed. Now of course, I’m moving into my Amazon Prime gig and that’s obviously something I want to put a lot of focus on. If I decide to do something, I want to do a good job. I’m going to dedicate a lot of time to that and I have to travel a bunch to LA.

“But of course, I will always be a Mavs guy. If there’s anything I can help with or if Cooper reaches out or needs me or has a question, I’m always a phone call away. For now, I don’t see me getting involved in any day-to-day business or management type of stuff.”

The Mavericks stunningly traded Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. The blockbuster trade was spearheaded by general manager Nico Harrison, who no longer wanted to build around Dončić.

Dallas missed the 2025 playoffs after making the NBA Finals in 2024. The organization got lucky, though, by winning the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.

Harrison drafted Duke star Cooper Flagg with the first pick, giving the Mavericks three (Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Davis) number one draft picks. The former Nike exec signed D’Angelo Russell and re-signed Dante Exum this offseason in free agency.

Nowitzki attended Dončić’s first game with the Lakers against the Utah Jazz last season, but the NBA icon will always be a Mavericks fan first. Dirk only went to the Lakers-Jazz contest to support Dončić, a close friend of his.

The Mavericks haven’t won a championship since Nowitzki guided the franchise to the 2011 title against the Miami Heat. Dončic and Irving couldn’t lead Dallas past the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.

It will be fascinating to see if Flagg wins a championship with the Mavericks, who open the 2025-26 NBA season against the San Antonio Spurs on October 22.