Ranking 15 worst Mavericks starters of the Dirk Nowitzki era

3. Antoine Wright

Wright was the 15th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by the then-New Jersey Nets. He came to Dallas in the eight-player trade that brought Jason Kidd back to the Mavericks. In his first two and half seasons, he had a negative-1.3 value over replacement player (VORP) and rated as well-below-average by win shares per 48 minutes. The 6’7 wing played a small role after being acquired and was axed from the playoff rotation.

Inexplicably, the Mavericks relied on him as a starter the following season. He was in the lineup on opening night and started 53 of his 65 regular season games played. Dallas needed his size on the wing. Head coach Rick Carlisle did not want to start Jason Kidd and Jason Terry in the backcourt together with Josh Howard at the three, despite that being their preferred closing group.

Wright left plenty to be desired as he averaged 7.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 23.9 minutes per game. He shot 41.5 percent from the field and 30.2 percent on his threes. Wright was demoted from the starting five and minutes decreased in the playoffs, but Dallas did reach the second round.

Antoine Wright was a forgettable starter for the Dallas Mavericks that never should have been. He played just two more years in the NBA and averaged more than 20 minutes per game for an entire season just three times.