12 Worst free agent signings in Mavericks history

2. Evan Eschmeyer

Eschmeyer averaged 3.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 16.2 minutes per game during his first two seasons in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets. He started 51 games in his second year, but still played just 18.0 minutes each night and averaged nearly as many fouls per game (3.0) as points (3.4).

Owner Mark Cuban saw something he liked in Eschmeyer as the Mavericks signed him to a six-year deal worth $20 million in 2001. It was a shocking move as the 6’11 big man had dealt with some injuries during his time in Brooklyn and he was far from a household name. Why would Dallas give him such a long and lucrative deal?

Eschmeyer lasted two seasons in Dallas where he played a total of 48 games before retiring from basketball in 2004 because of knee issues. He averaged just 1.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game during his time with the Mavericks.

This was a head-scratching move from the moment it was announced that was made even worse by Eschmeyer’s injuries. It was one of the biggest blunders in franchise history, but it could not top the absolute worst signing.