16 Players the Mavericks never should have gambled on

The Dallas Mavericks have made plenty of regrettable moves over their 40-plus years as a franchise. Drafting Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic are certainly not on that list. The Tall Baller from the G is an all-time great, and Doncic is on pace to join him. Dirk brought a championship to Dallas, but even he had plenty of teammates the franchise regretted acquiring.

There have been failed trades, missed draft picks, bust signings, and players who simply got away. The Mavs must do better if they plan on building a title team around Luka. The Slovenian continues to shine, but he won’t wait forever for the franchise.

Dallas is no stranger to taking chances, and here is a look at 16 moves that did not work out.

16. J.J. Redick

The Mavericks wanted to improve their shooting around superstar Luka Doncic in 2021. The 21-year-old had just made his second All-Star appearance and was already a superstar. Dallas was knocked out by the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs inside the bubble and was eager to go on their first run with number 77 leading the way.

Redick was one of the league’s best marksmen throughout his career, but the 36-year-old did not have anything left in the tank for the Mavs. Dallas gave up two fringe rotation pieces and one second-round pick to get the 6'3 guard and Nicolo Melli. It was a small price to pay, but Redick was already injured and appeared in just 13 games for 147 total minutes.

The sharpshooter had a heel issue that he could not get right. Redick played sparingly for a few weeks before being forced to shut it down. He played his last game in May and was unable to suit up in the playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks gave up a second-round pick for next to zero production from J.J. Redick, who retired following the season.

15. Christian Wood

Wood was putting up monster numbers in Houston, but there were questions about his impact on winning. He had not played in the playoffs during his first six NBA seasons, but the Mavericks traded four players and a first-round pick to acquire him in the 2022 offseason.

Dallas had just reached the conference finals, but wanted to clear roster space and had a massive hole at the five.

Wood continued to put up numbers, but it was a disastrous season for the Mavericks. They missed Jalen Brunson’s leadership and things melted down after the All-Star break. Dallas traded for Kyrie Irving and had an unbalanced roster. The Mavs missed the postseason and even tanked their final two games to keep their top ten protected first-round pick.

The 6’10 big man has taken a few shots at the Mavericks since his departure, but Dallas never should have gambled on the talented big man. His defensive issues are well documented, and he did not fit with the team’s offense-heavy roster.

Christian Wood departed in free agency after just one season in Dallas and signed a two-year deal worth $5.7 million with the Lakers. He made $14.3 million in his season with the Mavericks, so the partnership was not beneficial for either side.

14. Hot Rod Williams

Williams was a key role player to the Cavaliers for nine seasons. The 1985 second-round pick helped them reach the conference finals in 1992, which only happened twice for the Cavs before LeBron James arrived. Hot Rod was known for his rim protection and toughness. He was the franchise’s all-time leader in blocks before Zydrunas Ilgauskas broke the mark in 2009.

The Cavs traded Williams to the Suns in 1995 for Dan Majerle, Antonio Lang, and a first-round draft pick. His minutes and production dropped off in Phoenix, but the veteran big man stayed in the rotation for three seasons before being released in 1998.

Dallas was in the midst of a long playoff drought and desperately needed talent, so they signed the veteran big man to a three-year $5.8 million contract. Williams played a total of 25 games with the Mavericks where he averaged 1.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.1 minutes. A back injury ended his career, and Dallas finally traded him as part of a four-team deal in 2000.

The Dallas Mavericks gambled on a 35-year-old big man and it blew up in their faces. Luckily, that was the summer that the franchise drafted Dirk Nowitzki and traded for Steve Nash, which jumpstarted their turnaround.

13. Kevin Willis

Willis played two decades in the NBA before joining the Mavericks. The seven-footer was the 11th overall pick in 1984 after four years of college basketball. He became an All-Star with the Hawks in a season where he averaged 18.3 points and 15.5 rebounds per game. Willis spent a decade in Atlanta before bouncing around to six different teams.

He won a championship with the Spurs in 2003 and returned to Atlanta in 2004. The 42-year-old played 29 games with the Hawks and appeared retired before the Mavs gave him one final chance.

Dallas had an open roster spot and needed a big man late in the 2007 season. They were cruising to the best record in the league and decided to take a chance on Willis. The 44-year-old had not played in virtually two years. He appeared in just five games with the Mavericks and produced 12 total points and eight rebounds.

Dirk Nowitzki won MVP, but the Dallas Mavericks were shockingly upset in the first round of the playoffs by the “We Believe” Warriors. Kevin Willis did not see the floor in the postseason and played his final NBA game with Dallas. The Mavs' options were limited, but it was still shocking to see them add a 44-year-old to round out their roster.

12. JaVale McGee

McGee could appear on this list twice as he had two forgettable stints with the franchise. The 18th overall pick in 2008 played for three different teams in his first seven NBA seasons before joining the Mavericks in the summer of 2015.

Things got off to a bad start as McGee dealt with a preseason leg injury. He was only healthy enough to appear in 34 games and his 5.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 10.9 minutes per game were not enough. The Mavs waived him after one season.

McGee won three championships in the next four years and remade his career. After leaving Dallas, the seven-footer played for the Warriors, Lakers, Cavaliers, Nuggets, and Suns before coming back to the Mavericks in 2022. He made the playoffs five times and played 59 postseason games over that stretch.

Head coach Jason Kidd hyped him as their starting center after signing, but the experiment lasted just seven games. They wanted a roll man to pair with Luka Doncic, but the 35-year-old did not fit and was quickly removed from the rotation. He signed a three-year $17 million contract, but the Dallas Mavericks waived him after one season.

Both of JaVale McGee’s stints in Dallas did not go as planned and left the Mavs searching for alternatives quickly.

11. Danny Manning

Manning was the number one overall pick in the 1988 draft. He helped the Kansas Jayhawks win an NCAA title in his senior season and immediately hit the ground running in the NBA. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 block in 36.5 minutes per game as a rookie.

Manning would make two All-Star appearances in his prime but was hampered by injuries. The 6’10 forward bounced around the league as he declined, but wound up in Dallas in 2001. The Mavericks had just knocked out his Utah Jazz in the opening round of the playoffs, and Manning was eager to provide bench depth for a roster featuring a young Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Michael Finley.

Things did not go as planned for the 35-year-old. He was in and out of the rotation and wound up averaging 4.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game over 41 contests in his lone season in Dallas. The Mavs waived him in June 2002, and Manning played one final year with the Detroit Pistons before retiring.

Danny Manning moved into the world of coaching after his retirement and has been in the college ranks since 2006. Things did not go as planned in Dallas, but there is no knocking his resume. Manning was a two-time All-Star and former Sixth Man of the Year. The veteran just did not fit with the Mavericks at that stage of his career.

10. Eddy Curry

Curry had a mountain of potential when he was selected fourth overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. They traded for the second overall pick, which became Tyson Chandler, and believed the two big men would return them to glory. Michael Jordan was just coming back for the Wizards, and Chicago hadn’t made the playoff since his retirement in 1999.

Curry showed promise but never became a star. His struggles (subscription required) are well-documented. He looked on the cusp in both Chicago in New York, but his career was derailed in his mid-20s. Over his final five years in the NBA, Curry played a total of 26 games and the final two came with the Mavs.

The seven-footer spent the 2012 training camp with the Spurs but did not make their regular-season roster. Dallas was quick to snatch him, but he lasted just eight days on their roster. Curry produced nine points and four rebounds in his 24.8 minutes in a Mavericks uniform. The 29-year-old was waived to sign Troy Murphy in early November. Eddy Curry never played in the league again.

It was a low-risk signing that did not work. Curry never lived up to the hype, and his stint with the Mavericks was forgettable.

9. Andrew Bogut

The Mavericks acquired Bogut in the 2016 offseason. The Warriors were fresh off losing in the NBA Finals, and the cap spike allowed them to add Kevin Durant. They needed to dump Bogut’s salary, and the seven-footer wanted to come to Dallas.

The veteran big man was on an expiring contract and lasted just 26 games with the Mavericks. He struggled to play next to Dirk Nowitzki before agreeing to come off the bench. Bogut was in and out of the lineup and eventually traded as part of the package for Nerlens Noel at the 2017 deadline.

Bogut was quickly waived by the 76ers and signed by the Cavaliers. The seven-footer lasted just one minute in Cleveland before breaking his leg and ending his season. LeBron James and the Cavs went on to lose to the Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Andrew Bogut played two more years in the NBA, including returning to Golden State for his final season. His 26 games with the Dallas Mavericks were forgettable, but he did average 8.4 rebounds and 1.0 block in just 22.4 minutes per game. The seven-footer just did not fit next to the aging Dirk Nowitzki, which made it difficult to find him minutes in Dallas.

8. Vernon Maxwell

Maxwell went from second-round pick to key rotation player after arriving in Houston. The 6’4 guard was the team’s second-leading scorer during their 1994 championship run. The Rockets repeated as champions in 1995, but Maxwell left the team during the playoffs. He was upset they acquired Clyde Drexler to play over him, and Maxwell made a quick exit in following the campaign.

The 6’4 guard played for seven different teams over the next six seasons. He continued to be a role player into his mid-30s but struggled with injuries. The 76ers waived him twice during that stretch, including in Dec. 2000, which opened the door for the Mavericks to sign him two months later.

Dallas needed a veteran guard as they looked to snap their decade-long playoff drought. Maxwell’s minutes dwindled as the postseason approached. The 35-year-old averaged 4.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 15.0 minutes per game, but shot just 31.6 percent from the field. He played in four playoff games but was out of the rotation during their the second-round series loss to the Spurs.

Vernon Maxwell retired from the NBA after his stint with the Dallas Mavericks. He struggled to make shots and had nothing left in the tank. Most fans likely do not remember Maxwell finishing his career in Dallas.

7. Eddie Jones

Jones was the tenth overall pick in 1994 and quickly became one of the best two-way wings in the NBA. He was a three-time All-Star and earned three second-team All-Defense honors. Jones led the league in steals in 2000 and was named third-team All-NBA. The 6’6 wing was an elite athlete and impactful contributor on both ends of the floor.

Jones began to decline in his 30s and bounced around a bit before arriving in Dallas in 2007. The Mavs signed him to a two-year deal on the cusp of his 36th birthday. They were fresh off a disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Warriors and wanted another veteran rotation piece.

Jones had been a starter for his entire NBA career, but things quickly fell apart in Dallas. He opened his first five games before being sent to the bench. The 6’6 wing averaged just 3.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 19.6 minutes per game with the Mavs. He shot 36.7 percent from the field and slipped out of the rotation as the playoffs approached. Jones was well past his prime and it wound up being his final NBA season.

The Dallas Mavericks traded him to Indiana with two second-round draft picks in the 2008 offseason, but Jones was quickly bought out. He was underrated during his prime but had nothing left in the tank by the time he arrived in Dallas.

6. Amar'e Stoudemire

Stoudemire was one of the best big men in the NBA for eight years. Steve Nash led the Seven Seconds of Less Suns, but the 6’10 big man was their top scorer. He was known for his monster dunks and helping Phoenix reach the conference finals three times in eight years.

Stoudemire was traded to the Knicks in 2010 where he signed a five-year $99.7 million contract that did not go as planned. He began to decline and was bought out in Feb. 2015. The Knicks made just three playoff appearances and won one postseason series during that stretch.

Stoudemire chose the Mavericks in 2015 as he felt they gave him the best shot at competing for a championship. Dallas was 36-19 when he signed, but struggled down the stretch. STAT put up numbers in limited minutes off the bench. It was not enough as the Mavs were 14-13 over their final 27 regular season games and were bounced by the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

Amar’e Stoudemire made a quick exit and played his final season with the Miami Heat before signing a one-day contract to retire as a Knick. The six-time All-Star was an elite big man during his prime, but his time in Dallas left everyone involved with regret.

5. Alex English

English was the league’s best scorer in the 1980s. Nobody came close to matching his 21,018 points, and the 6’8 forward missed nine total games in the decade. He led the league in scoring in 1983 and made eight All-Star appearances. The Blade was a walking bucket, who surprisingly went from second-round draft pick to superstar.

English began to decline in the 1989-90 season. It was the first time he played under 30 minutes per game since 1978, and the Nuggets were bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Denver knew it was time to move on, and the Mavericks swooped in to sign the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer.

Dallas hoped English could help them stay in contention after the departure of Sam Perkins and Adrian Dantley, but they won just 28 games. English averaged 9.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 22.1 minutes per game. He primarily came off the bench but was clearly past his prime.

Alex English played his final NBA games with the Mavericks. He went to Italy in 1991 where he suited up for the final time. The Hall of Famer became an NBA assistant coach from 2002-2013 and will forever be remembered as an elite scorer. Unfortunately, MFFLs caught the final moments of his career, which left plenty to be desired.

4. Derek Fisher

Fisher is best known for playing point guard next to Kobe Bryant and helping the Lakers win five championships. The 6’1 guard hit iconic shots and filled a crucial roles in his career, but his time in Dallas won’t be remembered fondly.

Dallas desperately needed a point guard in 2012 as they looked to make the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year. Head coach Rick Carlisle wanted an upgrade over Darren Collison, so the franchise gave Fisher a shot in late November. The Mavs were 7-9 and had lost three straight before his first game on Dec. 1.

Fisher was gone by Christmas. He averaged 8.6 points and 3.4 assists in 25.4 minutes per game over nine contests, but the 38-year-old shot just 35.4 percent from the field and committed a career-high 2.0 turnovers per game. Fisher requested his release after suffering a knee injury only to join the Thunder two months later. The Mavericks were upset as the veteran point guard cited spending more time with his family.

The Derek Fisher experiment helped derail the season. Darren Collison never worked as the starting point guard, and the Dallas Mavericks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000 after finishing 41-41. The franchise certainly wishes they did not gamble on the five-time champion.

3. Lamar Odom

Odom won back-to-back championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. The 6’10 big man was a key contributor on both teams and won Sixth Man of the Year in 2011. He may be best known for his marriage to Khloe Kardashian, but Odom was an outstanding NBA player for 12 seasons. Sadly, things fell apart when he joined the Mavericks.

Dallas was fresh off winning the championship but remade their aging roster. They gave up a first-round draft pick to get Odom and one second-rounder after the lockout. The 32-year-old believed he was headed to New Orleans in the vetoed Chris Paul trade and was eager to be moved.

Things were disastrous in Dallas. Odom was inconsistent and often out of the lineup. He averaged 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 20.5 minutes per game, which were all career lows at that point. Lamar Odom left the team in early April and was traded following the season.

The 6’10 forward returned to his first team where he played in all 82 games in his final NBA season. Odom showed up and helped the Clippers reach the playoffs, despite his declining skills. His time in Dallas was forgettable, but credit to him for bouncing back and going out on positive terms.

2. Dennis Rodman

Rodman is arguably the best rebounder in NBA history. The 6’7 forward did not make it to the NBA until he was 25 years old, but he quickly became an elite defender and key piece of two Pistons' title teams. Rodman was a two-time All-Star and twice won Defensive Player of the Year in Detroit. He is best known for winning three titles next to Michael Jordan in Chicago and being part of the Bulls’ Last Dance, but The Worm finished his playing career in Dallas.

Shortly after buying the team in 2000, new owner Mark Cuban brought on Rodman. The Mavs were in the middle of a decade-long playoff drought and needed to boost their appeal. The 38-year-old was well past his prime and did not fit in Dallas. Fans can hear Dirk tell his side of the story below.

Rodman’s stint in Dallas lasted just 12 games. He averaged 2.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 32.4 minutes per game. There was plenty of buzz, including a suspension and The Worm’s desire to wear number 69.

The Mavericks were improving with a young Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. Cuban certainly got eyeballs on the team, but Rodman was waived after just one month. It is still one of the most talked about signings (subscription required) in franchise history, despite his play on the court being forgettable.

1. Rajon Rondo

The Mavericks have taken gambles and made regrettable moves. Such is life as an NBA franchise, but none turned into a larger disaster than trading for Rondo in December of 2014. The Mavs were sixth in the Western Conference at 19-8 and hoping to jump into title contention when the move was made.

Rondo was a four-time All-Star and the Celtics starting point guard during their 2008 title run. He had playoff experience and was an upgrade over Jameer Nelson. Dallas had the top offensive rating in the NBA at the time of the trade but needed to improve their defense. Rondo’s ball-dominant style made the offense take a step back and their D only made a small step forward.

Things unraveled completely in the playoffs. Rondo was benched after ten minutes of action in Game 2 and left the team. The Rockets outscored the Mavericks by 36 points with him on the floor in the first two games, and the point guard was clashing with head coach Rick Carlisle. Rondo did not receive a playoff share after Dallas was bounced in the first round.

Rajon Rondo left for Sacramento in free agency in the 2015 offseason. Dallas gave up three role players and two draft picks to acquire him, but it blew up in their faces. Rondo went on to have a lengthy NBA career, but his time in Dallas was a disaster. The Mavs certainly wish they had never taken the gamble on the four-time All-Star or any of these regrettable pickups.