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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
CLEVELAND – APRIL 3: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks goes against Lucious Harris #12 and Robert Traylor #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 3, 2005 at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2005 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND – APRIL 3: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks goes against Lucious Harris #12 and Robert Traylor #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 3, 2005 at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2005 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Robert Traylor

Oh yeah, you read that right. The best top-six pick in Dallas Mavericks history never actually put on a Mavs jersey. For those who don’t follow the history of the Mavs too closely, this may sound like a pretty crazy pick and is likely a player you have never heard of, right? Well, in this case, this pick was more about what we got for him than what we got out of him.

In 1998, the Dallas Mavericks selected Robert “Tractor” Traylor with the 6th overall pick. Just minutes later, however, Traylor was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for the 9th overall pick. With that pick, the Mavs got a young, gangly kid from Germany named Dirk Nowitzki.

This is undoubtedly the best thing that has ever happened to the Dallas Mavericks and anyone who says differently is lying to you. Robert Traylor went on to have a short, unfulfilling career before his tragic passing in 2011 at the age of 34. It is always a sad day when a man like Traylor dies so young, but his NBA career, although not as good as was hoped, had a lot of fun memories in it.

Traylor played 7 NBA seasons before going to play overseas. He never averaged more than 5.7 points or 4.5 rebounds per game in any given season, but he did break a few backboards in his college days. Either way, his legacy lives on through Dirk.

And we all know what Dirk has done in his career.

Next: The Dallas Mavericks Need to Establish a Closer

These are the best picks the Dallas Mavericks have made in franchise history from number one through number six. I know, I cheated a little bit with the last one, but it had to be done. Anyways, we are within 24 hours of the Draft Lottery and everything is finally getting real.