Ranking 15 worst Mavericks starters of the Dirk Nowitzki era

4. Greg Buckner

Buckner was drafted by the Mavs in the second round in 1998. He spent his first season in the CBA before joining the team for the 1999-2000 season. The 6’4 wing was a 20-minute per game role player in his first three years before leaving for Philadelphia in 2002 as a free agent. Buckner would return to Dallas in 2006 for one season before being traded to Minnesota.

He was a journeyman throughout his decade in the NBA. Buckner never averaged more than 24.1 minutes, 7.0 points, or 4.2 rebounds per game. The 6’4 guard had a high basketball IQ and a likable personality, which kept him in the league.

In his four seasons with the Mavericks as Dirk Nowitzki’s teammate, Buckner averaged 5.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 19.5 minutes per game. Despite the subpar numbers, he made 37 starts in his 205 appearances. Buckner was a steady role player but should have never been a starter when Dallas was trying to contend.

Greg Buckner became a coach after his playing days and is currently the associate head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His decade in the league paved the way for that role, and he could be a head coach in the league someday.