Report: Nash gauged Nowitzki's interest in joining Nets as assistant

Steve Nash was ready to add an iconic former teammate to his coaching staff.

The new Nets head coach reached out to gauge Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki's interest in joining Brooklyn as an assistant, reports Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Nowitzki reportedly turned down the offer, as he isn't ready to make a full-time return to basketball after retiring in 2019.

Nash and Nowitzki first became teammates on the Mavericks in 1998. The former had just landed in Dallas after two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, while the German forward was entering his rookie year. Though Dallas finished 19-31 that season, the two eventually led the Mavericks to the 2003 conference finals, the first time the club proceeded that far since 1988.

Together, they became one of the best one-two punches in the Western Conference until Nash returned to Phoenix as a free agent in 2004. Despite never teaming up again - apart for the occasional All-Star Game - the two remained close friends throughout their careers.

Nowitzki spent the rest of his 21-year career with the Mavericks. It was reported in March that the organization had made the 2007 MVP a formal job offer, though Nowitzki was said to be reluctant to accept.

Nash was officially announced as Brooklyn's new head coach Thursday. Former interim bench boss Jacque Vaughn is, so far, the only other known member of his staff.