On the heels of the seismic shifts in the Dallas Mavericks organization, it’s apparent Mark Cuban needs help. Franchise aid comes in the form of a former basketball player. Dirk Nowitzki will be a special advisor for the Mavericks. Through his 21-year career, Nowitzki entrusted Cuban with his career, and now he returns the favor.
Former Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki tells @NYTSports that he is rejoining the organization as special advisor.
Nowitzki’s first assignment at the request of Mavericks owner Mark Cuban: Assisting the team in its search for a new head of basketball operations and then coach.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 18, 2021
While the advisor position Cuban bestowed upon Nowitzki weighs heavy in terms of responsibility, it’s quite the change of events in team-building. Nowitzki’s presence provides necessary friction, even with the firm Sportsology assisting in hunting a general manager. In a position of power where Cuban typically shines, Nowitzki’s franchise influence trumps Cuban’s financial acumen.
With the potential cap space for a max slot, instilling the front office and head coach remains the highest order of action this summer. During his 21 years of service in the NBA, Nowitzki experienced numerous styles of head coaches, which provides him the perspective of eyeing possible candidates. Expect the future Basketball Hall of Fame player to carry much weight in the decision-making.
Optically speaking, the decision for Nowitzki in an advisor role is a win-win for the controversial Cuban. However, to frame such a move solely as a PR tactic doesn’t fit with the imperative nature of the organization’s dilemma.
