Mavericks finally right a decades-long wrong with unforgettable gesture

The Dallas Mavericks announced that they will be retiring Mark Aguirre's No. 24 jersey into the rafters of the American Airlines Center on January 29, 2026, when they take on the Charlotte Hornets at home, and he will now be etched into Mavs history forever.

Aguirre was one of the great all-time Mavericks, as he played the first seven and a half seasons in Dallas after being the No. 1 overall pick in 1981. He was later traded to the Detroit Pistons in 1989, and no Mavs fan will ever forget his name from this moment forward. Him having his jersey retired was a decision that was long overdue, and the ceremony is something that no fan will want to miss.

Despite his immense success in Dallas to begin his career, as he averaged 24.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.9 steals per game in 566 games, he seemed like an outcast around the Mavericks ever since he left. He had one of the most legendary careers as a Maverick that we had ever seen, but the disconnect that ultimately caused the trade to the Pistons ran deep.

Aguirre's overdue jersey retirement marks turning point in Mavs history

He wasn't seen at Mavericks events or around the team after his retirement, which is uncommon for a player of his status, but things changed over the summer.

Aguirre was a key figure who made a guest appearance at the Mavericks' Draft Party at the American Airlines Center when they selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick, and this was an extremely special moment for him. He was the team's first-ever No. 1 overall pick back in 1981, and he helped welcome Flagg to Dallas in a night that Mavericks fans will never forget.

Throughout the night on June 25, 2025 (the night of the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft), a panel that included Jeff "Skin" Wade and Mark Followill invited different figures to the stage to answer questions in front of the fans before the No. 1 overall pick was finalized. Special guests included Nick Van Exel, Josh Howard, and Rolando Blackman, but no moment was as special as the moment that Aguirre shared with Mavericks fans.

He hadn't been featured by the organization in decades, but that changed in a night that turned out to be one of the most magical nights in franchise history.

When introduced to the American Airlines Center crowd, Aguirre was flooded with cheers, and shed some tears as a long-broken partnership had finally been repaired.

"This is home," Aguirre said. "When my plane lands here in Dallas, there's not another feeling that I can get other than 'I'm home'...I never thought this time would happen...It seemed like I was just separated from Dallas and didn't know how I could get back."

Aguirre was "shocked" that current members of the organization reached out to him, but he couldn't be happier to have reconnected with the organization. And it couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

The Mavs just kicked off their 45th anniversary season, and Aguirre was a key member of the franchise from their second season in 1981 all the way until 1989. He was one of the instrumental figures in Dallas in their early days, as he is the No. 3 scorer in Mavs history (only trailing Blackman and Dirk Nowitzki), and it's only fitting that he joins Brad Davis, Nowitzki, Derek Harper, and Blackman in the rafters.

Patrick Dumont and company just ensured that Aguirre's name will never be forgotten when someone thinks about the Dallas Mavericks, and any time that a fan steps foot into the American Airlines Center, they'll see a Mark Aguirre No. 24 banner hanging with pride.