Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki recently voiced concern over the Mavericks’ roster. Here’s why he didn’t show much enthusiasm about the Mavericks ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
Dirk Nowitzki Voices Concern Over Mavericks Roster
The Cooper Flagg era in Dallas is underway. However, Nowitzki recently raved about the Dallas Mavericks’ roster depth before bringing up the team’s health issues during an appearance on the DLLS podcast instead of raving about Flagg, 18.
“If they’re healthy, they’re one of the deepest teams,” Nowitzki said. “I mean, if you look at just the frontcourt, how it’s loaded with talent, with players, the backcourt [too]. “I think they have two to three players on every position, especially when Kyrie comes back, and I saw him on social media, he’s already getting some shots up. So, you know he’s going to take care of his body and do everything he can to be out there. So, once he comes back and he’s the old Kyrie, this is a heck of a team that’s super loaded, and the main thing is, can they stay healthy for the long run?”
Nowitzki’s concern is totally understandable. Health was a significant issue for the Mavericks last season. Irving is expected to miss most of the 2025-26 NBA season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, while Anthony Davis has been battling nagging knee issues throughout his NBA career.
Dirk Nowitzki’s Career As a Maverick
Nowitzki’s professional basketball career as a Dallas Maverick spanned 21 years from 1998 to 2019. Nowitzki previously played for his hometown club, DJK Würzburg, in Würzburg, Germany. The Milwaukee Bucks selected Nowitzki with the No. 9 pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft. The Bucks subsequently traded him to the Mavericks in a multi-team trade. Future NBA star Steve Nash arrived in Dallas in the same trade.
Nowitzki went on to become one of the greatest power forwards of all time and the greatest European player of all time. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. He currently serves as a special advisor to the Mavericks.
Nash, 51, enjoyed a 19-year professional basketball career from 1996-2015. Nash was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and raised in Victoria, British Columbia. He played college basketball at Santa Clara in Santa Clara, California, before the Phoenix Suns drafted him with the No. 15 pick in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft. He last served as the Brooklyn Nets’ head coach from 2020-2022.
Final Thoughts
Nowitzki has a good point. The Dallas Mavericks’ health should be concerning. However, Dallas remained in the Western Conference mix last season, despite trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas’ resilience and roster changes show their intent to compete for an NBA championship next season.
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