Dallas Mavericks supporters are still reeling after Luka Doncic’s mid-season trade to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, a deal that disrupted hopes of a seamless transition from Dirk Nowitzki’s era to Doncic’s. Recently, when Doncic revealed during a Chinese content creator stream that he wanted to adopt Dirk Nowitzki’s iconic one-legged fadeaway move, it reignited mixed emotions among Mavericks fans and underscored the lasting influence of Nowitzki’s legacy on Doncic’s game.
Doncic’s admiration for Nowitzki is well-known, as their careers briefly overlapped during Nowitzki’s final NBA season, which coincided with Doncic’s rookie year. This moment was seen as a symbolic passing of the torch within the franchise, a connection abruptly altered by the controversial trade orchestrated under Mavericks executive Nico Harrison’s leadership. The trade not only surprised fans but also strained the relationship between Nowitzki and the Mavericks organization.
Dirk Nowitzki has remained publicly supportive of Doncic despite the trade, attending his first Lakers game in Los Angeles and expressing surprise over the Mavericks’ decision. Nowitzki’s discomfort with the situation is tied to his evolving relationship with the franchise, which has grown distant since the trade. Fans once expected Doncic to be honored alongside Nowitzki with statues and banners in Dallas, reflecting the stature both players held within the team’s history.
While Doncic already incorporates an effective post fadeaway in his skill set, the signature Nowitzki fadeaway involves a notably high release point that allowed the legendary forward to shoot over defenders even in tight spaces. Doncic’s fadeaway differs, leaning more on physicality and size to create shooting space rather than a high release, but his intention to adopt Nowitzki’s move indicates a deep respect for the former Maverick’s style.
Understanding the Strain Between Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks Organization
Though Dirk Nowitzki is widely celebrated as the ultimate franchise figure, his feelings toward the Dallas Mavericks have become complicated. The trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers was a significant factor in this strain but not the sole cause of his dissatisfaction. Earlier organizational decisions, including the forced departure of head athletic trainer Casey Smith, a close confidant of Nowitzki, contributed to the tension. Smith, who left while caring for his sick mother during the offseason, was respected across the league for his expertise, later earning praise for improving the health of the New York Knicks following his move there.
Nowitzki’s reduced presence at Mavericks games and his limited use of his previously permanent office reflect his growing disengagement from the franchise. Changes in the team’s ownership also appear to have contributed to his distancing, deepening the divide between one of the NBA’s most storied players and the organization he represented for more than two decades.
The unfolding situation highlights how leadership and personnel changes within a historic team can influence relationships with legendary figures and affect fan expectations. For Mavericks enthusiasts longing for continuity, Luka Doncic’s embrace of the Dirk Nowitzki fadeaway serves as a bittersweet reminder of what once was and what could have been if the narrative had remained uninterrupted.