When Dirk Nowitzki speaks on the Dallas Mavericks, fans listen. The franchise legend may be retired, but his voice still carries weight — and he’s feeling optimistic about what the Mavs can do in the 2025-26 NBA season.
It’s been a strange year for Dallas. Trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers was a move nobody expected, and while it shook up the franchise, the Mavs didn’t exactly fall apart. With Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving leading the charge — plus veteran Klay Thompson and rookie phenom Cooper Flagg — the team is still very much in the championship mix.
Dirk Nowitzk Sees Hope in Kyrie’s Recovery
The biggest question mark, of course, is Irving. Still recovering from a torn ACL, the All-Star guard won’t be available to start the season. But Nowitzki isn’t worried — in fact, he’s encouraged by what he’s already seen.
“I saw him on social media, and he’s already getting some shots up, so you know he’s going to take care of his body and do everything he can do out there,” Dirk said on the DLSS Mavs Podcast.
“Once he comes back and he’s the old Kyrie, that’s a heck of a team that’s super loaded.”
Until then, D’Angelo Russell is expected to run point as the stand-in floor general. While the move wasn’t popular with fans, Nowitzki believes coach Jason Kidd can put the pieces together, especially with Davis and Thompson setting the tone as leaders.
Cooper Flagg and the Mavs’ New Identity
The arrival of Cooper Flagg, a rookie already drawing “complete player” praise from Blake Griffin, gives Dallas even more upside. While he won’t be an MVP-level guy from day one, the long-term potential is clear — Flagg is viewed as a future superstar who can take over the franchise in the coming years.
For now, Dallas will lean on its depth. With Davis anchoring the frontcourt, Thompson stretching the floor, and Irving expected back mid-season, the roster looks balanced and dangerous.
Dirk Believes in the Team’s Future
The Mavericks may no longer have Dončić, but Dirk thinks the rebuild has been handled impressively. GM Nico Harrison has built a defensive-minded squad that can compete now while setting up a promising future.
“If you look at the frontcourt, it’s loaded with talented players. The backcourt, they have two to three players in every position, especially when Kyrie comes back,” Nowitzki said.
The only real concern? Injuries. Both Davis and Irving have histories of missing time, and their availability will make or break Dallas’s title chances. Still, with Flagg developing and the roster stacked with depth, Dirk believes the Mavericks are better positioned than people realize.
Even without Luka, Dallas looks poised to surprise critics in 2025-26 — and if Kyrie returns at full strength, the Mavs could end up being one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
