It is somewhat of a chicken and egg thing, but I think you have to consider the market itself as much as you do the players. You need at least one recruiting star to come here, but Dallas is neither a fashionable city in which to live, nor a traditionally attractive franchise with a rich history, at least not for the average NBA superstar. Star players want to go to a big market or hip location (LA, CHI, NY), traditional power (LAL, BOS), hometown (CLE, LAC), or to a place where they can team up with other stars or friends and win immediately. Dallas does not check any of those boxes for anyone.
Some franchises have been able to overcome this by having a top tier front office and great coaching (SA), but that doesn't just happen. Even having a super fan billionaire owner who spoils his players hasn't helped, and some may argue that it has even hurt. Still, Dallas has been good enough to win one title, and be competitive in several other years without being able to land a single big time free agent (aside from re-signing Dirk). That is pretty amazing for a front office that gets so little respect. You have to give them some credit for getting Dirk here in the first place, and for surrounding him with enough pieces to get the one title. Contrary to popular belief, it did not happen in spite of ownership and the front office.
Can they make it happen again? We will see, but if so, it will have to be by getting players who don't give a shit about a city's or franchise's inherent appeal. If that means focusing more on European players, so be it. Maybe the Mavs know exactly who they are, and their strategies reflect that.