Beyond the X’s and O’s, bringing the franchise icon back to Dallas would restore prestige and pacify fans, cementing his legacy as a permanent, symbolic organizational cornerstone.
Let me be perfectly clear about Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavs: Yes, new team president Masai Ujiri should hire Dirk.
But no, they shouldn't really ask him to actually do anything.
The iconic Nowitzki recently revealed that he has spoken with Ujiri to discuss what his role with the franchise could be.
Dallas has a (relatively) new ownership group. And a new boss in Ujiri. And a new GM in Mike Schmitz. And a new coach in Dusty May, who has finalized his staff.
So what real work is left for Nowitzki to do?
None. Which is perfect!
“I’ve obviously known Masai for a long time through some NBA ties, through NBA Africa ties, and so I’ve known him for probably 10-plus years,” Nowitzki said on Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan recently. “So we’ve had some discussions over the last couple of weeks.
"And we’ll see.''
What "we'll see,'' though, is Dirk occupying himself with a full-time job in his second year as a studio analyst on Amazon’s NBA coverage. He's also a full-time husband and father who travels the world, from his native Germany to his adopted hometown of Dallas.
And ...
"I’m pretty busy with some FIBA stuff,'' he said. "I just got back from Europe from the Women’s World Cup ... Then obviously with the whole Amazon picking back up next month, so there won’t be any time soon that I’m taking a full-time job.''
Good. Fine. Perfect.
Maybe Nowitzki could do some scouting when he's in the mood. Certainly he has value as a consultant to Mavs ownership, which drove him away when the Adelson group came storming into town.
But most of all, Dirk as the Mavs' "Ambassador To Everything'' - or some such title - is what fits.
Nowitzki, 48, would bring value and credibility to the franchise even if all he does is shake hands and kiss babies.
And this franchise right now needs value and credibility. And an army of disgruntled fans might be pacified with a handshake and a kiss from the greatest and classiest thing to happen to sports in North Texas this side of Roger Staubach.
Nowitzki, who played all 21 of his NBA seasons in Dallas and won the 2011 championship before he retired in 2019 as the franchise leader in points, rebounds, and games, has endorsed the hiring of Ujiri.
Now Ujiri needs to endorse him back, with an "Ambassdor to Everything'' job offer that requires nothing from Dirk beyond a "yes.''
"We’re definitely discussing on what could be my role in the future, but obviously it’s way too soon to kind of speak on that,'' Dirk said. "But I’ve met Masai a couple times, and excited for the Mavs’ future.”
Mavs fans want a reason to be excited about that future, too. "Hiring'' Dirk Nowitzki - even as nothing more than a symbolic gesture - would be that reason.
