11 Dallas Mavericks that never played a single minute

The Dallas Mavericks have the second-most wins in the NBA since 2000 behind only the rival San Antonio Spurs. Their regular season success has resulted in one championship and multiple deep playoff runs. They always had a shot with Dirk Nowitzki, even when mistakes were made. Luka Doncic led them to the conference finals in 2022, and there is no reason he cannot dominate the next decade in Dallas.

Building a contender is difficult and fragile. The front office must keep improving and tweaking their roster to keep the team at the top. It takes finding players via trade, free agency, and the draft. There is no guaranteed formula, either. All franchises can do is find talent and try to get the most out of it.

The Mavs have acquired multiple players over their first 44 years as a franchise that never saw a minute on the floor in their uniform. Whether the players got rerouted in a trade, acquired in a draft-night deal, or injured before taking the court, sometimes the pieces move fast. Who are the best former Mavericks who never saw the floor?

Dallas Mavericks that never played a single minute

11. Kelly Olynyk

The Mavs missed the playoffs for the first time in 13 years in 2013. It left them with the 13th pick, but Dallas wanted to jump back into contention. Dirk Nowitzki was in his mid-30s, but still playing like an All-Star. The Mavericks wanted to build a winner around their GOAT, which made their lottery pick expendable.

They, technically, selected Olynyk, but he was traded to Boston for the 16th overall pick and two second-rounders. Dallas then flipped that selection with two role players for the 18th pick. They took Shane Larkin and created some cap space to add in free agency. The plan did not work, and the Mavericks missed on drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Kelly Olynyk goes down as the 13th overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Dallas Mavericks, but he never played for a second for the franchise.