DALLAS — Two of the Mavericks’ longest-tenured employees are out.
Enter an even more familiar face.
Dirk Nowitzki will assist owner Mark Cuban and the Mavericks as a special adviser in their search for a new president of basketball operations, head coach and help with other front-office decisions, the team announced Friday.
Former general manager Donnie Nelson and coach Rick Carlisle — fixtures in the team’s operations, and Nowitzki’s career, over the last two decades — parted from the Mavericks on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
“Mark Cuban approached me about a role as special advisor and I am happy to support my Mavs,” Nowitzki said in a statement. “Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle were both mentors and 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 join Mark and contribute as much as I can as we move forward.”
Cuban has said since Nowitzki retired in April 2019 after a historic 21-season career in Dallas that he would give the legendary Maverick whatever job in the organization Nowitzki wanted whenever he wanted to return.
Nowitzki’s involvement in replacing Nelson and Carlisle won’t be permanent, but his presence in the process should foster some continuity at a time of abrupt upheaval for the team.
