30 Greatest Dallas Mavericks players in franchise history

The Dallas Mavericks joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1980 with the legendary Dick Motta as their head coach. It was a rough first three seasons before Dallas made the playoffs. Then, they qualified for five straight years, including a trip to the conference finals in 1988, followed by a decade-long playoff drought that was snapped by Dirk Nowitzki.

The Tall Baller from the G made the Mavs one of the most successful franchises since 2000, and current superstar Luka Doncic plans to carry the mantle. Dallas has made 24 playoff appearances in 43 seasons, but who are the best players to ever wear their uniform?

For consideration in this countdown, only time with the Mavericks counts. Steve Nash was a two-time MVP in Phoenix, but only his six seasons in Dallas factor in here. How long they played for the Mavs, and the team’s success matter too in this countdown.

Top 30 Dallas Mavericks of all time

30. Brandan Wright

Wright played just three and a half seasons in Dallas where he averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 17.8 minutes per game. He started just 16 of his 198 contests with the Mavs, so why did he make the list?

Wright is second in win shares per 48 minutes with the Mavericks. Tyson Chandler tops the list, which means Wright is ahead of Dirk Nowitzki. The advanced metric is quite favorable to big men, but still being second in any advanced stat ahead of the Mavericks GOAT deserves special recognition.

Brandan Wright played ten years in the NBA for seven different teams mostly as a backup big man. He retired after the 2017-2018 season, and the forgotten Maverick was the perfect player to kick off the countdown of the team's greats.

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29. Detlef Schrempf

Schrempf was one of two original German Mavericks as he and Uwe Blab were both drafted in the first round in 1985. Dallas had made the playoffs two straight years, but some wise trades gave them three first-round picks as they entered their sixth season as a franchise. They were looking to continue their ascent with a young and talented roster.

Schrempf was one of Dirk’s idols, who went on to be a three-time All-Star and two-time Sixth Man of the Year. He is more known for being a Pacer and SuperSonic, but his NBA career started in Dallas.

He spent his first three and a half seasons with the Mavericks where he averaged 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 19.4 minutes per game. Schrempf helped Dallas reach the playoffs three times, including making it to the conference finals in 1988. He was part of the rotation even in the playoffs, including averaging 18.3 a night during their deepest postseason run until Dirk Nowitzki came to Texas.

Detlef Schrempf was traded to the Pacers in 1989 where his career took off. Credit to the Dallas Mavericks for assisting his development, and bonus points to the 6'10 forward for helping pave the way for Dirk to come from Germany to the NBA.

28. Dorian Finney-Smith

Doe-Doe is one of the team’s biggest developmental success stories. The 6’7 wing came to Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and had to fight his way onto the roster. He was a below-average shooter but had potential on both ends of the floor. Finney-Smith won the final roster spot during training camp and quickly worked his way into the rotation.

DFS was a key rotation player for the Mavericks for seven years. He was arguably the team’s best defender over that stretch, and he shot over 39 percent from 3-point range in 2021 and 2022. Finney-Smith gave the Mavs a valuable 3-and-D wing that every modern team would love to have on their roster.

Dorian Finney-Smith is one of 15 players to play more than six seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, but he was traded in February 2023 to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that brought eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving to Dallas. The Mavs gave up two starters and three draft picks, but it got them a co-star to pair with Luka Doncic.

Fans saw just how important Dorian Finney-Smith was after the trade. They were two games over .500 after his final game with the Mavericks, and they finished six games under .500 after going 10-18 without him. Doe-Doe did not produce the biggest stats and he will always be underrated, but the 6’7 wing was a key piece of three playoff teams in Dallas.

27. Monta Ellis

Ellis was a known commodity before he arrived in Dallas in 2013. The 6’3 guard was an elite scorer that had averaged over 19 points per game for seven straight years, but his defense and shot selection were question marks. He had played eight years in the NBA before coming to the Mavs and his teams made the playoffs just twice. The Warriors traded Ellis during Stephen Curry’s second year, and they advanced to the second of the playoffs the following season.

Ellis quickly changed that narrative with the Mavericks. Dallas had missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000 just before the 6’3 guard arrived, and he had arguably the best season of his career playing next to Dirk Nowitzki. Ellis averaged 19.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals as he shot 45.1 percent from the field. The Mavs were back in the playoffs and lost a seven-game series to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs.

Ellis still produce massive numbers in his second season in Dallas, but problems began to arise. It was not long before he was looking for a new home. The Mavs got bounced in the first round by the Rockets, and Ellis headed to the Pacers in free agency.

Still, he was a key piece of the Dallas Mavericks' bounce back after a disappointing 2012-13 campaign, and the 19.0 points per game that he averaged in his two seasons is the ninth-most in franchise history.

26. Jerry Stackhouse

Stackhouse was a two-time NBA All-Star before arriving in Dallas. He was the third overall draft pick in 1995, and the 6’6 wing immediately averaged over 19 points per game as a rookie. Stack took his game to another level in Detroit where he dropped 22 a night and became one of the league’s leading scorers. He spent two years in Washington before being traded with Devin Harris and Christian Laettner for Antwan Jamison in 2004.

Before arriving in Dallas, Stackhouse made the playoffs just three times in nine years, and he advanced beyond the first round just once. Things changed with the Mavericks as he made five straight postseason appearances, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2006.

Stack became the Mavericks' sixth man and a key scorer off the bench. He averaged 13.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 32.3 minutes per game, despite making just one start during the 2006 playoffs. His suspension in Game 5 of the NBA Finals helped swing the series, and Mavericks fans will never forget the injustices that happened throughout.

Things in Dallas did not end well for Jerry Stackhouse as he was virtually benched by head coach Rick Carlisle for the entire 2008-09 campaign, but he was still a key piece of their first finals run and his scoring helped make up for Steve Nash’s departure in 2004. The 6’6 wing was traded to Memphis in 2009 and played four more years in the league after leaving Dallas.

25. Erick Dampier

Fans may question Dampier’s inclusion in this list when they view his stats and oversized contract. Dallas acquired him in 2004 after a career year in Golden State where they agreed to pay him $73 million over seven years in a sign-and-trade. The final year never happened, but the Mavericks made the 6’11 big man an extremely rich man.

Did Dampier live up to that contract? No, but he averaged 6.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 24.4 minutes per game over six years where the Mavericks made six playoff appearances. He played a key role in the team’s run to the 2006 NBA Finals, and the 6’11 big man was often underappreciated by fans.

Former general manager Donnie Nelson had this to say about Dampier in 2009.

"If you take him off this team, we're not going anywhere. I know in the locker room and in 29 other front offices he's appreciated. He's a true big man who can rebound and block shots. Those guys who have the experience that he's got are hard to find."

Erick Dampier is fourth in Mavericks history in blocks and seventh in rebounds. He is also seventh in blocks per game and tenth in rebounds each night. He was overpaid, but Dampier's screen-setting, rebounding, and rim protection were important to Dallas. Dampier is tied for 16th all-time by playing six seasons with the Mavs, and he has played the 17th most games for the franchise.

The Mavs traded Dampier to Charlotte in 2010 as part of the package for Tyson Chandler, who was the team’s starting center on their 2011 championship squad. Dampier played two more years in the NBA after the deal before retiring in 2012.

24. Jim Jackson

The Mavs drafted Jackson fourth overall in 1992 after a 22-win season, and things were about to get significantly worse. Dallas was the worst team in the NBA for Jackson’s first two seasons as they won just 24 games combined. Jackson missed most of his rookie season because of a contract dispute with the team. He played just 28 games and started all of them.

Jackson kept getting better. He averaged over 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists in year two, and the Mavericks formed the “Three Js” in his third season after drafting Jason Kidd in 1994. Jackson scored a career-high 25.7 points per game in 1994-95 with the future Hall of Fame point guard setting him up.

Drama ruled the 6’6 wing’s time with the Mavs, but it did not stop him from producing. Jackson averaged 19.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.9 steals in 36.3 minutes per game over his four-and-a-half seasons in Dallas. He was unable to replicate that scoring after being traded to the Nets in 1997 in a deal that brought Shawn Bradley and Robert Pack ot the Mavericks.

Jim Jackson is seventh in team history in points per game, and he averaged the second-most minutes per game. He has played the 24th most games for Dallas, but the losses and the drama make him a forgotten Maverick.

23. Devin Harris

The Mavs acquired Harris in a 2004 draft trade that sent Antawn Jamison to the Washington Wizards. Dallas took Devin Harris fifth overall, and he immediately jumped into the rotation.

Steve Nash left in free agency, but that did not stop the Mavericks. They made it to the second round of the playoffs in 2005 and lost in the NBA Finals in 2006. Harris kept improving, including becoming a starter in 2007. The Mavs shipped the 6’3 guard to the Nets in 2008 to acquire Jason Kidd.

Harris was an All-Star in 2009 and played five seasons for three different franchises before arriving back in Dallas in 2013. He spent his final six NBA seasons with the Mavericks save for a brief stint after the trade deadline with the Nuggets. Harris was known for his cutting ability. His numbers may not jump off the screen, but the 6’3 guard was a key piece of the Mavericks' second unit for parts of ten different seasons.

Devin Harris is eighth in Dallas Mavericks history in games played and steals. He is one of only six players to play in parts of ten or more seasons with the franchise. Longevity matters. He may have never lived up to his draft position, but playing a decade with the franchise earns him a spot on this list.

22. Vince Carter

Carter’s best days were behind him before he joined the Mavericks in 2011. He was already an eight-time All-Star and an unquestioned superstar. Vinsanity was the talk of the NBA in the early 2000s, but he struggled with the transition to becoming a role player before arriving in Dallas.

The Mavs were his fourth team in four years, and he was waived by the Suns in 2011. Carter still believed he was a starter and a star, but the then-35-year-old was best suited for a 25-minute per-game role. The 6’6 wing bought into his place during his three years in Dallas, and it extended his career nearly another decade.

Carter averaged 12.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 25.1 minutes per game with the Mavs. He shot a career-high 39.2 percent from 3-point range playing off Dirk Nowitzki, and he hit one of the most iconic shots in franchise history.

Vince Carter left the Dallas Mavericks in 2014 to sign with the Grizzlies, but the partnership worked out well for both sides. Carter improved the franchise, and Dallas allowed him to prove that he was willing and able to fill any role necessary.

He was 37 years old at the time of his departure, and Carter still played another six full years in the NBA. His longevity and ability to adapt were incredible. He is the only player in league history to play 22 seasons.

21. Jalen Brunson

Brunson was a second-round steal for Dallas. He helped Villanova win two NCAA championships in three years, but scouts knocked his size and defensive ability, which forced him to slip outside the top 30.

The Mavericks traded up to third overall to get Luka Doncic before selecting Brunson 33rd overall. Dallas had Dennis Smith Jr., but they were not sold on him being their point guard long-term. The franchise also knew J.J. Barea was reaching the end of his career. The Mavs completely revamped their ball-handling situation in one night.

Brunson immediately cracked the rotation, and he just kept getting better. He spent two years as the primary backup point guard before expanding his role in year three and becoming a starter in year four. Brunson was virtually played off the floor in the 2021 playoffs by the Clippers before being the team’s second-most important player in their 2022 run to the conference finals.

The Mavericks’ front office made a massive mistake in structuring JB’s contract that allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent after his fourth year. They failed to ink him to an extension before he hit the open market, and Brunson decided to join the New York Knicks in free agency. It left the Dallas Mavericks with zero return, but Jalen Brunson went from second-round draft pick to backup point guard to starter to star over his four years with the franchise.

20. Kristaps Porzingis

Many questioned the 2019 trade to acquire Porzingis. It was clear from the moment that Doncic arrived in Dallas that he was the team’s best player and a special talent. He was just halfway through his rookie season when the Mavs took a swing. KP was an All-Star in 2018, but he was recovering from a torn ACL and expected to miss the remainder of the season when Dallas brought him in.

The Mavs gave up two first-round picks plus three starters to acquire Porzingis, and Dallas inked him to a max contract before he played one game with the franchise. It was a massive gamble given KP’s injury history, but the franchise dreamed of having a superstar duo for the next decade.

Things did not work out as planned. Porzingis produced monster numbers and helped the Mavericks get back to playoffs, but he struggled to stay healthy. His knee injury in the 2020 postseason altered the series against the Clippers, and who knows what would have happened inside the Orlando bubble if he stayed healthy.

Porzingis spent just two and a half seasons in Dallas, but his name is littered across the team’s all-time leaders. He is in the top five in blocks, points, and rebounds per game, and The Unicorn helped the Mavs make back-to-back playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021.

19. Jay Vincent

Vincent was part of the Mavs' historic 1981 draft class. He was their third of three top-25 picks, and the 6’7 forward turned into a steal. Vincent immediately cracked the rotation and averaged a career-high 21.4 points per game as a rookie. He helped the Mavs make the playoffs for the first time in 1984 and continued to be a key contributor over three postseason appearances.

His production and playing time varied over his five seasons with the Mavericks. He was the leading scorer in his rookie year before becoming a second option in year two and more of a sixth man in his final three years. Still, the 6’7 forward averaged 16.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 29.6 minutes per game in Dallas.

Jay Vincent was traded to the Washington Bullets in 1986, and he played for five teams over the next four seasons before going overseas in 1990 to finish his playing career. After retiring, Vincent plead guilty to fraud charges in 2011 and spent five years in prison.

He is 19th in career games played with the Dallas Mavericks and ninth in field goals made, despite suiting up for them for just five years. Vincent helped the franchise start winning, and he will forever be a key piece of their 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.

17. Roy Tarpley

Tarpley is one of the biggest what-ifs in Mavericks' history. They took the 6’11 big man with the seventh overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, and he immediately cracked the rotation. He quickly became a walking double-double that just kept improving.

Tarpley was arguably the team’s best two-way player in the 1988 playoffs as he averaged 17.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 33.1 minutes per game. He came off the bench, but they would not have reached the conference finals without him.

The sky was the limit for the 23-year-old, but he played just 124 more games in his career. Injuries, alcohol, and drugs ruined his promising career. Tarpley continued to produce when he was on the floor, but it was not a frequent occurrence after the team's run in 1988. Two knee injuries limited him to just 19 games in 1989. He was suspended for drunk driving twice in the next two years, including a ban that lasted three years before he was briefly reinstated. Tarpley tragically died at age 50 in 2015.

Roy Tarpley is second in Mavericks history in rebounds per game, and he is tenth in total rebounds and blocks. He could have been one of the best big men in the NBA, but he threw it all away.

16. Tyson Chandler

The Mavs were bounced in the first round of the playoffs in 2010 by the rival Spurs, but they knew they were close. The franchise needed an interior presence that brought toughness, rebounding, and rim protection next to Dirk Nowitzki, so they traded for Chandler.

The seven-footer became a Mavericks legend in just one season. He provided that needed defensive boost that pushed Dallas over the top. Chandler averaged 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 27.4 minutes per game during the regular season. His playing time increased in the playoffs with Brendan Haywood’s injury and the team’s need for defense.

The Maverick blew it up after winning the championship in 2011, and they traded Chandler to the Knicks only for Dallas to reacquire him from New York in 2014. Chandler was again fantastic in one year for the Mavs, but Dallas was bounced by the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. The seven-footer left for Phoenix in free agency the following summer.

Tyson Chandler is the franchise leader in rebounds per game, offensive rating, and win shares per 48 minutes. The seven-footer only spent two seasons in Dallas, but he was a key piece of their championship run and one of the best centers in team history.

15. J.J. Barea

The Mavericks do not win the 2011 championship without Barea. The 5’10 point guard played stout defense against LeBron James, and inserting him into the starting lineup changed the series. Nobody thought the Mavs would win coming in as the “Big 3” Miami Heat waited on the other side, but it was Dirk Nowitzki, Barea, and the Mavs who got the final laugh and kept King James from his first championship for another year.

His performance in the 2011 NBA Finals alone makes him an all-time great Maverick, but Barea has also played the fifth most games in franchise history.

He went undrafted in 2006 and fought his way onto the Mavs roster. The 5’10 point guard was on the deep bench for the first two years before taking over as the backup point guard. Over the next three years, Barea became an offensive weapon. His ability to attack the basket and run pick-and-rolls for the second unit was massive.

J.J. Barea left after the 2011 championship, but he returned in 2014 for another six seasons with his first franchise. Jose Juan continued to make an impact through his final season as he became more mentor to Luka Doncic than a player over the last two years. Barea is a Mavericks legend, and there is a case for him ranking higher on this list.

14. James Donaldson

Donaldson was a fourth-round pick in the 1979 draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, and he played one year overseas before coming to the NBA. The 7’2 big man was a backup for his first three seasons before he was traded to the Clippers. J.D. started for two and a half seasons until he was dealt to Dallas in 1985.

The Mavericks needed rebounding and rim protection to support Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper, Sam Perkins, Jay Vincent, and Brad Davis. Donaldson provided it, and he became a key piece of the Mavericks' success. They reached the playoffs in each of his first three years, including making the conference finals in 1988 where they lost in seven games to the eventual champion Lakers. 1988 was Donaldson’s lone All-Star season.

He played parts of seven seasons with the Mavericks where he averaged 8.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game. Donaldson was traded to the New York Knicks in 1992, and he played just two more years in the NBA before heading overseas to finish his playing career.

James Donaldson is second in rebounds and third in blocks in Mavs history, and he has played the 13th most games with the team. The 7’2 big man was a finishing piece in the team’s early run, and he made a massive impact during his stay in Dallas.

13. Shawn Marion

The Matrix was already a four-time All-Star before arriving in Dallas. He is most remembered for starring next to Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire on the “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns. Marion got his four All-Star nods in Phoenix, but the Mavericks were his fourth different team in three years when he was acquired in a 2009 trade.

The 6’7 forward was a jack of all trades over the next five years in Dallas. He could score out of the post, rebound, get a bucket, and deliver whatever Dallas needed.

Marion started every game during the 2011 playoffs, and he was a key role player throughout their championship run. The 6’7 forward had 20 points, eight rebounds, one steal, and one block in Game 2 of the Finals as Dallas picked up their first win over the Heat. It would not have happened without The Matrix, and he will forever hold a special place in the hearts of MFFLs.

Shawn Marion departed in free agency in 2014 to play his final NBA season with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was chasing his second ring, but they lost to the Warriors in the 2015 NBA Finals.

The 6’7 forward has played the 21st most games in franchise history, and he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Winning the 2011 title in Dallas helped cement his legacy and makes him a top-15 player in Mavericks' history.

12. Josh Howard

The Mavs drafted Howard with the 29th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. The 6’7 forward saw his stock slip, but he quickly made teams regret it. Howard’s play was electric as he immediately cracked the rotation. He was a starter in year two and just kept improving. Howard took his game to a new level in the 2006 playoffs as he helped the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals before falling to the Miami Heat.

He was not stopping there. Howard was a first-time All-Star in 2007 as he was the team’s second-leading scorer. The Mavericks had the best record in the NBA before getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors. It was the start of three straight years where Howard averaged over 18 points per game.

Drama off the court caused the Mavericks to trade him to the Washington Wizards in 2010. Still, Howard averaged 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 31.7 minutes per game over parts of seven seasons in Dallas. He has scored the tenth most points in franchise history, and he sits 16th in games played.

Josh Howard was 29 years old when he left Dallas, but the 6’7 forward played in just 76 more NBA games. He tore his ACL twice and was no stranger to making headlines. The 43-year-old is currently the head basketball coach of the University of North Texas Dallas.

11. Sam Perkins

The Cavaliers traded their 1984 first-round pick to the Mavericks in 1980 as part of what spurred the Stepien Rule. Thanks to it, Dallas ended up picking Sam Perkins fourth overall just one month after reaching the second round of the playoffs.

The 6’9 forward was a key part of the team’s early run. Dallas reached the postseason in each of his first four years as Perkins hit the ground running. He was a starter down the stretch of his rookie campaign, and he stayed in that role for six seasons. Perkins helped the Mavs reach the conference finals in 1988 before leaving for the rival Lakers in free agency in 1990.

Perkins averaged 14.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 0.9 blocks in 33.2 minutes per game during his time in Dallas. His name is littered all over their record book as he ranks tenth in field goals made, third in rebounds, tenth in steals, sixth in blocks, and nine in scoring.

Sam Perkins played 11 more years in the NBA split between the Los Angeles Lakers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Indiana Pacers. He is often forgotten among the all-time great Dallas Mavericks, but they would not have made their early run without the 6’9 forward.

10. Michael Finley

Finley spearheaded the Mavs turnaround in the late 1990s. They had missed the playoffs six straight years and were the laughing stock of the NBA before the 6’7 wing arrived in Dallas in a 1996 trade that ended the “Three Js” era. Jason Kidd went to Phoenix with Finley, Sam Cassell, AC Green, and one second-round pick coming to the Mavericks.

Finley quickly became the team’s leading scorer, and he helped Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash get Dallas back to the playoffs in 2001. The 6’7 wing scored over 20 points per game for five straight years, and he made two All-Star appearances. The Mavs reached the conference finals in 2003 with Finley as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Dirk Nowitzki.

Michael Finley left the Dallas Mavericks in free agency in 2005 to join the rival San Antonio Spurs. He played five more years in the NBA before coming back to Dallas to work in the front office. He is currently the team’s vice president of basketball operations.

In his eight-and-a-half years playing for the Mavs, he averaged 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 39.7 minutes per game. Finley is sixth in games played, fifth in scoring, fifth in rebounds, fourth in steals, and fourth in 3-pointers made in franchise history, which makes him unquestionably an all-time great Maverick.

 9. Jason Terry

Terry was the team’s replacement after Steve Nash departed in free agency in 2004. The Jet spent his first five NBA seasons with the Hawks after being selected tenth overall in 1999. He was a proven scorer and shot-creator before coming to Dallas, but he took his legend to another level with the Mavs.

Terry’s most famous moment was getting the Larry O’Brien trophy tattooed on his right bicep before the 2011 season. The 6’2 guard predicted the title months in advance, and one of his teammates paid for the ink. Hear the story from Terry below.

The Jet had 27 points on 11 of 16 shooting from the field in Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals to ensure the Mavericks brought the title back to Dallas, but that was just a small piece of his eight years with the team where he averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals in 32.7 minutes per game. Terry helped them reach two NBA Finals, and the Mavericks never missed the playoffs with The Jet on the roster.

Jason Terry is sixth in points, eighth in assists, seventh in games played, and second in 3-pointers made in team history. He is also fourth in both win shares and value over replacement player (VORP) with the Dallas Mavericks. The 6’3 guard is unquestionably one of the best players in franchise history, and Dallas does not win the 2011 championship without him.

 8. Brad Davis

Davis was one of the original Mavericks. The 6’3 point guard was the 15th overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft by the Lakers, but he struggled to find a consistent role. Los Angeles cut him after playing just five games in 1978, and he saw limited action for the Jazz and Pacers before arriving in Dallas.

They were an expansion franchise, and things were made worse when their first draft pick Kiki Vanderweigh refused to play for the franchise. The Mavs won just 15 games in their first season, but Davis thrived in his first meaningful playing time. He averaged 11.2 points, 6.9 assists, and 0.9 steals in 30.1 minutes per game, which kicked off a five-run year as the team’s starter in the backcourt.

In total, Davis played 12 seasons with the Mavericks, and he is second all-time in games played with the franchise behind Dirk Nowitzki. The 6’3 guard helped them make their first playoff appearance in 1984, and he was a key piece off the bench when they reached the conference finals in 1988.

Brad Davis has been with the Dallas Mavericks from the beginning, and he still does the radio broadcasts for the franchise. The 67-year-old is one of four players to have his jersey retired by the team, and he will forever be one of the all-time great Mavs.

7. Steven Nash

The Mavs completely revamped their roster on draft night in 1998 with two historic trades. They moved down to draft Dirk Nowitzki ninth overall and acquired Suns reserve guard Steve Nash. Yes, it is wild to think about all the question marks scouts and pundits were trying to throw on the two future Hall of Famers that night

Nash barely played in his first two seasons, but he immediately became the Mavericks' starting point guard. Dallas had missed the playoffs eight straight years before he and Dirk arrived, and they won just 19 games in their first year together. Nowitzki thought about going back to Germany, but his friendship with Nash played a key factor in the legend staying.

Steve Nash blossomed into a two-time All-Star as Dallas was back in the playoffs in 2001, and they reached the conference finals in 2003. The Mavs were bounced in the first round of the postseason in 2004, and they let Nash walk in free agency. The 6’3 guard immediately made them pay as he won back-to-back MVP honors in Phoenix and the Suns eliminated Dallas from the playoffs in 2005.

Nash averaged 14.6 points, 7.2 assists, and 0.9 steals in 32.7 minutes per game over his six seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. He became a star playing next to Dirk before cementing his Hall of Fame case in Phoenix playing under Mike D’Antoni.

6. Jason Kidd

The Mavs had the worst record in the NBA in 1994, but they slipped to second in the draft lottery. They desperately needed a point guard and playmaker, and luckily the future Hall of Famer was waiting at two. Kidd immediately took over as the team’s starter, and he shared Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill in 1995.

J-Kidd was even better in year two. He averaged 16.6 points, 9.7 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals as he made his first of ten All-Star appearances. Kidd was quickly becoming a superstar, but the Mavericks could not keep him.

It was a messy breakup for both sides just 24 games into his third NBA season. The trade with Phoenix brought back Michael Finley, but he could not match Kidd’s play over the next decade.

The 6’4 point guard found his way back to Dallas in 2008. He was 34 years old but still had an All-Star season left in the tank. The future Hall of Famer was a key distributor and defender on the Mavericks 2011 championship squad.

He spent parts of eight seasons with the franchise in total, and he ranks in the top five in assists, steals, and 3-pointers made in team history. Jason Kidd was part of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team, and fans cannot tell his story without his stints with the Dallas Mavericks, including now his third as the team’s head coach.

5. Derek Harper

Harp was the final piece the Mavericks needed to make their first playoff appearance. The 6’4 guard was the 11th overall pick by Dallas in 1983 after a 38-win season. He immediately cracked the rotation as the backup point guard behind Brad Davis. Dallas not only made the playoffs in Harper’s rookie year, but they advanced to the second round before being knocked out by the Lakers.

Harper spent two and a half seasons as the backup before taking over the starter role in the 1985-86 and not relinquishing it until he left Dallas in 1994. He was the team’s lead playmaker in 1988 when they reached the conference finals, and Harp is arguably the best point guard in Mavericks history.

Derek Harper was traded to the New York Knicks in 1994 for Tony Campbell and one first-round pick only to re-sign with the Mavericks after being released in 1996. Dallas traded him again in 1997 with Ed O’Bannon for Dennis Scott.

In total, he played parts of 12 seasons with Dallas and ranks third in games played. The 6’4 guard is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and steals. Harper also ranks second in value over replacement player (VORP) and third in win shares. The Dallas Mavericks retired his number 12 in 2018 to further cement his status as one of the team’s best to ever do it.

4. Mark Aguirre

The Mavs used the number one overall pick in the 1981 draft on Aguirre. The franchise won just 15 games in their first season, which meant they received the top pick as the draft lottery did not begin until 1985. Dallas also had the ninth and 24th picks in what turned into a franchise-altering night. The Mavericks walked away with Rolando Blackman, Jay Vincent, and Aguirre to build their team around.

They were the team’s top three scorers as rookies, and by his second season, Aguirre turned into one of the league’s best. He led the Maverick to the second round of the playoffs in his third season, and the 6’6 forward averaged over 25 points per game in 1988 as Dallas reached the conference finals. Fans may not remember, but the Mavs pushed the eventual champion Lakers to seven games that year in the West finals. It was the team’s first genuine chance to win it all.

Aguirre was a three-time All-Star with the Dallas Mavericks, and he averaged 24.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.9 steals in 33.8 minutes per game during his seven-and-a-half seasons with the franchise.

There was a messy exit as he was traded to the Pistons in 1989, and Aguirre immediately helped them win two championships. The 6’6 forward deserves to have his number retired by the Mavs because he was certainly one of the best players to ever wear their uniform. He is second in points per game and third in scoring in team history. There is zero denying that Mark Aguirre was a walking bucket in Dallas.

3. Ronaldo Blackman

The Mavs drafted Blackman ninth overall in 1981, and the 6’6 wing immediately jumped into the rotation. Dallas won just 15 games in their first season, but Blackman, Mark Aguirre, and Jay Vincent were the start of changing the franchise's fortunes. Dallas only acquired Blackman because Kiki Vanderweghe, their first-round pick in 1980, refused to play for the expansion team.

Ro did not make Dallas regret it as he averaged over 17 points per game in year two. He was the Mavericks' second-leading scorer in 1984, and Blackman scored over 23 points per game in the playoffs as they advanced to the second round.

The 6’6 wing averaged over 18 points for nine straight years as he made four All-Star appearances and helped the Mavericks reach the conference finals for the first time in 1988. He played his first 11 seasons in Dallas before being traded to the Knicks in 1992 for a first-round pick. Blackman played just two more years in the NBA before finishing his playing career overseas.

During his 865 games in Dallas, Blackman averaged 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds. 3.2 assists, and 0.8 steals in 34.3 minutes per game. He is fourth in team history in games played, and Ro ranks second in points, field goals made, free throws made, and win shares. Blackman is one of four Mavs to have their jersey retired, and he is unquestionably one of the best to ever wear their uniform.

2. Luka Doncic

It may seem wild to have Luka Doncic this high, but he has been fantastic in his first five seasons. He is already a four-time All-Star, and the 24-year-old figures to be in the running for MVP for the next decade-plus. It is only a matter of time before Doncic breaks through. He is already one of the best players in the world, and that is not changing anytime soon.

Luka’s name is littered throughout the history books after five years. He broke the Mavs triple-double record in his second season, and the 6’7 point guard is already in the top ten in points, rebounds, assists, and 3-pointers. Those are not per-game numbers either. Doncic is top ten in totals. His 27.6 points per game for his career are the most in Mavericks history. He is second in assists per game and 6th in rebounds.

Luka also led the Mavericks to the playoffs three times, including a conference finals run in 2022. It has been a historic start for number 77 and the best is still yet to come. The 24-year-old is still adding to his game, and he could go down as one of the best in league history.

Luka Doncic is already 22nd in games played for the Dallas Mavericks, and nobody did their first 330 like their current superstar. Not even Dirk.

1. Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki is the unquestioned Mavericks' GOAT. Luka Doncic is the young lion hoping to dethrone him, but it is a lofty standard to reach. The Tall Baller from the G played his entire 21-year NBA career in Dallas, and he holds nearly every franchise record imaginable.

Nowitzki is an all-time great. The seven-footer from Wurzburg is sixth in NBA history in scoring, 26th in rebounds, and 16th in 3-pointers made. Dirk stayed with the same team for his entire career, and his loyalty was rewarded with a championship in 2011. He was in the hunt for so long that it was incredible to watch him finally lift his team over the mountain, and bring the Mavericks their only championship in franchise history.

Dirk Nowitzki has his number retired by the Mavs, a statue outside the American Airlines Center, and the street outside the arena named after him as the seven-footer has adopted Dallas as his home. The Hall of Famer also has his number retired by the German National Team, and he revolutionized the game. Dirty proved that a power forward could shoot threes and stretch the floor while being the team’s best player.

Can Luka overtake Dirk as the team’s best player? The 24-year-old has a long way to go, but the start has been impressive. Fans know that nobody is rooting for Doncic’s success more than Nowitzki.