5 players Mavericks could have drafted over last 10 years

2. Jimmy Butler- 2011 draft

The Dallas Mavericks made a colossal draft blunder in 2011. They were fresh off winning the championship but decided their roster needed overhauling a bit. The Mavs let Caron Butler and J.J. Barea walk in free agency. They traded Tyson Chandler to the Knicks and saw Peja Stojakovic retire. The Mavericks held the 26th pick but decided to trade it too.

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The Mavs dealt the selection on draft night for Rudy Fernandez and the draft rights to Petteri Koponen. Neither played a game for Dallas. Fernandez was traded with Corey Brewer for a second round pick less than six months later.

The Mavs wanted a veteran to help them win now but instead got nothing. They could have selected Jimmy Butler instead. The five-time All-Star was drafted 30th overall by the Chicago Bulls. Butler barely played in his first season but became a starter and 20 points per game scorer by the end of his rookie contract.

Dallas was dealing nearly every pick they had during this stretch. The team wanted veterans that could contribute now during Dirk’s prime. It is difficult to argue with that, but the Mavericks missed out on some opportunities too.

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