Instead of flying straight to Dallas from Germany, free agent forward Dirk Nowitzki decided to stop in New York.

The decision further delays a meeting between Nowitzki and the Mavericks, who are anxious to re-sign their All-Star.

Dallas president Donnie Nelson had planned to be in Germany when free agency began at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, but as he was prepared to board a place he was informed that Nowitzki was headed back to the United States.

"It doesn't matter if it's today or tomorrow," Nelson said. "We are going to have a discussion."

Mavericks guard Jason Kidd is expected to have dinner with Nowitzki in New York City on Thursday.

The Mavericks don't have any knowledge of plans for Nowitzki to meet with any other teams.