Ranking 15 worst Mavericks starters of the Dirk Nowitzki era

13. DeSagana Diop

Diop was the eighth overall pick in 2001 by the Cavaliers. He played out his rookie contract in Cleveland before signing with the Mavericks as a free agent in 2005. Diop barely saw the floor in his first four years. He averaged 1.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in just 10.8 minutes per game. The seven-footer was known for his shot-blocking, but could he contribute enough elsewhere to get significant minutes?

Diop started 45 games during the 2005-06 regular season and 18 more in the playoffs as the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals. He averaged 2.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game during the regular season and similar numbers during the postseason run. Fouls were an issue, but there were memorable moments like his 16 rebound and six-block game versus the Nuggets.

In his two-and-a-half seasons in Dallas, Diop made 72 starts. In his 12-year career, the seven-footer earned 93. Take out his time with the Mavericks and Diop made 21 starts in 353 games played. He was not a starter. The seven-footer was a fine backup big man who could protect the rim, but he never earned enough minutes to be part of the opening group.

DeSagana Diop helped the Dallas Mavericks reach the NBA Finals in 2006, but the role player still goes down as one of the worst starters of the Dirk Nowitzki era.