The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

The Best “Top Six” Draft Picks in Dallas Mavericks History

By Kohl Rast

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 4: Devin Harris #34 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on December 4, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 4: Devin Harris #34 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on December 4, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INGLEWOOD, CA – JUNE 13: Mark Aguirre #23 of the Detroit Pistons holds the Larry O’Brien Trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in four games to win the NBA Championship on June 13, 1989 at Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California . NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1989 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA – JUNE 13: Mark Aguirre #23 of the Detroit Pistons holds the Larry O’Brien Trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in four games to win the NBA Championship on June 13, 1989 at Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California . NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1989 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Mark Aguirre

One of the best players the Mavs ever selected in the NBA Draft was in 1981, when the worst team in the NBA from the year prior got the first overall pick. With that draft pick, the Dallas Mavericks selected Mark Aguirre out of DePaul University. Although the pick could’ve been used on Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas, Aguirre was still an excellent selection by Dallas.

Aguirre played in 13 seasons in his NBA career. This was a pretty short career for an excellent player, but Aguirre made his name known during his time in the league. He played seven and a half great years with Dallas before moving onto Detroit where he won a pair of NBA championships. He may not be in the small group of retired jerseys for Dallas, but he has a case for it.

Two of the best players to ever put on the Mavs uniform were drafted in this 1981 draft. Shortly after selecting Aguirre with the first overall pick, the Mavs followed it up by picking Rolando Blackman with the 9th overall pick in that draft.

During their time together in Dallas, the Mavs went from an expansion team to a playoff contender in just a few years. After joining the NBA for the 1980-81 season, the Mavs made the playoffs only three years later in 1984 and were regulars in the postseason all the way up to their western conference finals run in 1988. They lost that series to the LA Lakers in 7 but that was the peak of the early Mavs.

Aguirre’s career numbers ended up at 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

Next: Who's Number 1?