Dirk Nowitzki Scouts Mavs' International Talent, Fits Next to Cooper Flagg

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki knows a thing or two about what it takes for an international player to be successful in the NBA.

And while his Mavs will be without Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic for the second full season since his trade to Los Angeles, Dallas will still have no shortage of foreign-born flavor on the roster.

READ MORE: Who Should Run Mavs Offense? Cooper Flagg or Kyrie Irving?

The many organizational moves this offseason, starting with new leadership in the front office and coaching staff, have included several international players joining the team.

Nowitzki has remarked about the trust instilled in him by the late Don Nelson, a Mavs architect who helped develop the German big man into a Hall of Famer in Dallas.

A similar international influence is being shown by new president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri.

The Mavs have added Spain's Santi Aldama and Sergio De Larrea, and Turkey's Tarik Biberovic on standard contracts. French prospect Zaccharie Risacher was acquired in a trade. English-born forward Tobi Lawal will be on a two-way contract, and Russian guard Vsevolod Ishchenko's draft rights were acquired, though he will likely spend this season overseas.

"We know what the reputation is with international players. They know how to play. They know how to play team ball. They know how to move without the ball. They’re all skilled. Everybody can sink and create," Nowitzki said to the Dallas Morning News about this Mavs philosophy.

Dirk is focused most on how the newcomers might fit with stars Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg.

"For me, it’s always about finding the right mix of good players that play off of each other, especially with Kyrie coming back," Nowitzki said. "[Kyrie's] an incredible guard, ball dominant. Cooper’s gonna have the ball in his hands a lot. Can you impact the game with your IQ? Can you cut at the right time? Can you get open? Can you spot up? Can you shoot? I think that’s the thing around some of these two great scorers and players like Cooper and Kyrie."

Nowitzki said he is familiar with Aldama's game. The former Memphis Grizzlies forward is also a 7-footer who can space the floor with an above-average outside shot.

I like Santi a lot. I’ve watched him a lot the last few years in Memphis," Nowitzki said. "Super smart. Long. Can play. Can do a little bit of everything. I’m excited about him."

READ MORE: Nowitzki, Mavs Have Talked About Strengthening Relationship

Aldama's countryman De Larrea, just 20 years of age, is less of a known commodity. Still, Nowitzki's TV analyst side has come out in scouting De Larrea's international play.

"I’ve seen De Larrea live in international team game. I think it was last summer," Nowitzki said.

"Really liked him. Now he’s almost a year and a half older since then. He knows how to play, decent athlete, can get to his spots. Super smart on the point guard."

New Mavs coach Dusty May is entering his first NBA gig. It will be a tough task managing the Mavs' new-look roster while, in Aldama's case structuring the big man rotation, and for De Larrea getting him comfortable as a backup ball-handler to Irving.

"I like some of the additions," Nowitzki adds. "It’s all about finding the right mix [of] who can play off of Kyrie and Cooper."