22 Stars the Dallas Mavericks missed drafting by a single pick

3. Anfernee Hardaway

With the No. 4 overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected Jamal Mashburn out of the University of Kentucky. Mashburn turned into an elite scorer for the Mavs and was excellent right away in Dallas, but the player who went right before him was even better.

With the No. 3 pick, the Golden State Warriors selected Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway out of the University of Memphis and he was traded to the Orlando Magic on draft night in a deal for Chris Webber.

If Hardaway fell just one more spot, he could have been on the Mavs. Hardaway had an outstanding career that was headlined by four All-Star Game appearances and three All-NBA selections, and it would have been a blast to see him in a Mavs jersey.

Hardaway was a gifted all-around scorer, and he showed that immediately as he averaged 16.0 points per game as a rookie. He could knock down open shots from downtown, finish at and above the rim, and score from the mid-range.

Hardaway was also a gifted passer and had outstanding court vision. He was seemingly always making highlight-reel plays, and he was fun to watch.

Hardaway's ability to play either guard spot and defend would have made him a fun fit in Dallas, and although he never fully lived up to his expectations, he was still a great player during the early stages of his career.