30 Greatest Dallas Mavericks players in franchise history

18. Shawn Bradley

The Sixers took Bradley with the second overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, but he was viewed as a bust by the time he arrived in Dallas in 1997. The 7’6 big man averaged 3.4 blocks per game during his first three seasons, but he was putting up just 10.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 64.9 percent on his free throws.

The Mavericks were his third NBA team, and he arrived in a nine-player deal that saw Jim Jackson, Sam Cassell, and three others head to the Nets. Dallas had missed the playoffs six straight years, and they were searching for ways to break the drought.

Bradley spent nine seasons in Dallas where he was a key rim protector and shot blocker. The 7’6 big man was not afraid to get dunked on, and it happened often. He averaged 7.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 21.0 minutes per game during his stint with the Mavericks primarily as their backup center.

Shawn Bradley is tied for ninth in games played in Mavs history, and he ranks second in blocks and fourth in total rebounds. The 7'6 big man is the franchise’s leader in blocks per game and defensive rating. Bradley takes some heat for not living up to being the number two pick, but he was arguably the team’s best shot blocker in franchise history.