Chandler Parsons Urges Mavericks to Bring Dirk Nowitzki Back Into the Fold After GM Firing

The Dallas Mavericks’ turbulent 2025 season took another dramatic turn Tuesday when the organization officially parted ways with general manager Nico Harrison. The decision ends a controversial tenure marked most notably by the blockbuster February trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis — a move that fractured both the fan base and locker room.

Harrison’s firing, coming less than a year after that high-profile deal, signals the start of yet another rebuilding phase for a team still searching for direction. With a 3–8 record and uncertainty surrounding the futures of several key players, Dallas is weighing its next steps carefully. The Mavericks now face the dual challenge of reshaping their roster and restoring faith among fans disillusioned by months of instability.

The organization still has a mix of veteran stars and young prospects, including Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and rookie Cooper Flagg. The question now is how best to blend that talent into a cohesive unit — and whether a familiar face could help guide the process.

That’s where former NBA forward Chandler Parsons believes Dirk Nowitzki comes in. On FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show, Parsons argued that the Mavericks should turn to their most beloved figure to help re-establish a sense of pride and continuity in Dallas.

1. Parsons: “Bring Dirk Back Into the Building”

Parsons, who played for Dallas from 2014 to 2016, didn’t mince words about what he sees as the Mavericks’ next logical move. “I think the first thing they should do is hire Dirk Nowitzki,” Parsons said during Tuesday’s show. “He is the most loved icon in Dallas. He clearly has separated himself from the entire franchise since the hiring of Nico, or since the move of Luka.” The former swingman emphasized that Nowitzki’s involvement wouldn’t necessarily need to come in an executive role. Instead, Parsons suggested that the Mavericks find a way to incorporate Nowitzki into the organization in a symbolic capacity — one that reconnects the team with its roots and galvanizes fans. “He’s been on the side of the fans and was frustrated with that move,” Parsons continued. “I think you bring in a guy like that. Not even as a GM — Dirk’s not a GM. Just some sort of role, some sort of opportunity where he can get in front of the crowd. He can go to games, he can kind of have that vibe of Dirk where they can remember the 2011 championship run.” Parsons’ comments echo what many Mavericks supporters have felt since Doncic’s departure: that the franchise has lost its emotional center. Bringing back Nowitzki, in Parsons’ view, could help bridge that gap between past glory and present challenges.

2. Nowitzki’s Disapproval of the Doncic Trade

Dirk Nowitzki’s name carries enormous weight in Dallas, both for his Hall of Fame career and his longstanding connection with the community. However, his relationship with the Mavericks front office has reportedly cooled in recent years, particularly following the trade that sent Doncic — his onetime protégé — to Los Angeles. Nowitzki was said to be disappointed by the decision, which he viewed as a step backward for the franchise he helped elevate to championship status in 2011. Since the trade, he has made few public comments about the Mavericks but has consistently shown support for Doncic and the Lakers. That distance from his former team, as Parsons noted, has not gone unnoticed by fans. Reintegrating Nowitzki into the organization could serve as a symbolic reset — an acknowledgment of the team’s missteps and a gesture toward rebuilding trust. His presence courtside, in community initiatives, or even in an advisory capacity could provide the emotional lift that ownership and management have struggled to deliver. At a time when Dallas basketball culture feels fractured, Nowitzki’s involvement could remind the franchise of what it once stood for: loyalty, effort, and pride. Parsons’ call for his return resonates as much as a cultural appeal as it does a basketball one.

3. Mavs Face a Crossroads with Roster and Culture

Beyond symbolic moves, the Mavericks have practical basketball challenges to confront. With Anthony Davis still managing injuries and Kyrie Irving continuing to work back into rhythm, the team’s on-court product has struggled to find consistency. Rookie forward Cooper Flagg, meanwhile, has shown flashes of promise, but the team has yet to establish a clear direction — whether it’s reloading for contention or rebuilding around its young core. The departure of Harrison leaves a leadership vacuum that owner Mark Cuban and head coach Jason Kidd must address swiftly. Parsons’ suggestion of bringing Nowitzki into a visible role aligns with a broader need for stability and identity within the organization. For fans, the sense of disconnection runs deeper than wins and losses. The trade of Doncic — a franchise cornerstone and global superstar — remains a sore spot, one that can’t be erased overnight. Parsons’ proposal represents a call to reconnect emotionally before the Mavericks can rebuild competitively. As Dallas prepares to host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, the organization’s immediate focus will be on the court. But the broader question lingers: who will guide the Mavericks’ next era — and can the franchise’s greatest icon help them rediscover who they are?