Dallas Mavericks celebrate acquiring Dirk Nowitzki in 1998

Dallas Mavericks celebrate acquiring Dirk Nowitzki on draft night 1998

The Dallas Mavericks are currently preparing for the NBA’s restart. 22 teams will head to Orlando in July to wrap up the 2019-2020 season. The Mavs are nearly guaranteed a playoff spot. They want to make a deep run after qualifying. The preparation did not stop them from celebrating GOAT Dirk Nowitzki, though.

Supporters know everything the legend has meant to the franchise. He is the Mavericks in so many ways. Dirk brought Dallas a championship in 2011 and countless memories on the court. He also made a massive impact in the community with his charity work.

June 24 is a special anniversary for Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs. Let us take a look at how they celebrated on Wednesday.

Dallas Mavericks posted a video of Dirk Nowitzki from draft night 1998

The Mavs flashed fans back to June 24, 1998, with a video from the draft. Check it out below.

Many fans may have forgotten that the Bucks actually drafted Dirk. The Mavs acquired him in a draft night deal similar to the one with Luka Doncic and the Atlanta Hawks.

Dallas did not stop there, though. They later flipped that 19th pick plus a first rounder in 1999 and a few pieces for Steve Nash. Mavs PR notes it was the first time in NBA history a team picked up two future MVPs on the same day. June 24 will always be a special one in Mavericks history.

Dirk and Nash would make the playoffs four straight years before Nashty left for Phoenix in 2004. Nowitzki led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006. The two were great together but had their most success after parting ways. Fans can read more about their friendship here.

The Dallas Mavericks have a new star duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. This is just the start of their run together. Hopefully, it brings a second championship to Dallas. Fans should be excited about the possibility, so stay tuned.