22 Stars the Dallas Mavericks missed drafting by a single pick

14. Joe Dumars

The Dallas Mavericks missing on key players in the NBA Draft during their early days was a common occurrence, and although they drafted several players who turned out to be stars and fan favorites, they also missed on some picks. This happens to every team, but one of their biggest misses came in the 1985 NBA Draft.

Dallas selected Uwe Blab with the No. 17 overall pick. Blab was a 7-foot-1 center from Indiana, but he never lived up to his expectations in Dallas. Blab averaged just 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in 188 games for the Mavs. He was the definition of a bust, but the player who was selected just one pick after him was an absolute stud.

The Detroit Pistons selected Joe Dumars with the No. 18 overall pick, and he turned into one of the best players of this 1985 draft class, and the Mavs definitely could have used him. During his 14-year career, Dumars averaged 16.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from downtown.

Dumars won two championships, made six All-Star games, and was on five all-defensive teams. He was outstanding on both ends of the floor, and his shooting from downtown was always a threat. His smooth stroke from downtown and offensive versatility made him a key piece for the Pistons, and Mavs fans have to live with their favorite team passing on him in favor of a draft bust.