Remembering Dennis Rodman with the Dallas Mavericks

Time with Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks were just exiting a rebuild in the 1999-2000 season. Dirk Nowitzki was in his second NBA season. The Mavs had not made the playoffs since 1990. Michael Finley was the team’s leading scorer. Dallas was 19-27 when they signed Dennis Rodman.

Rodman was 38 years old when he arrived in Dallas. He was in his 14th and final season in the NBA.

Mark Cuban had owned the Mavericks for a month before bringing in Rodman. The team needed his rebounding. Cuban also knew he would attract a crowd in Dallas.

Rodman brought it, but it did not translate to wins. He played just 12 games with the Mavericks. Rodman averaged 14.3 rebounds per, but the Mavs only secured three wins. He was released on March 8.

The Mavericks were seven games under .500 when Rodman left. They finished 40-42 and ninth in the Western Conference. Dallas missed the playoffs by four games.

Rodman talked about his relationship with owner Mark Cuban in a 2019 interview. Fans can read that article here.

Rodman was also the subject of an ESPN 30-for-30 documentary that is well worth watching. His time in Dallas did not work out as planned, but Rodman was a phenomenal player. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.