Just as Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson was set to board a plane to Germany, he was informed that Dirk Nowitzki is headed back to the United States as free agency approaches.

"Mavs announce that team prez Donnie Nelson, just before boarding flight to Germany, informed Dirk now flying back to States on Thursday," ESPN's Marc Stein wrote on his Twitter page.

Nowitzki plans to be back in the United States on Thursday, when free agency begins.

Some believe that his decision to return from Germany could be a disadvantage for Dallas as the All-Star forward might be planning to meet with other teams.