10 Most heartbreaking moments in Dallas Mavericks history

7. Letting Steve Nash walk in 2004 free agency

NBA hall of famer Steve Nash began his NBA career with the Suns for the first two seasons after he entered the league. In 1998, Nash was traded to Dallas where he played the next six seasons of his career.

In Dallas, Nash showed potential of a superstar in the making. Nash was a two-time All-Star in 2002 and 2003. But, as the 2003-04 season concluded, Nash struggled as his points per game and 3-point shooting dropped. Nash's turnovers were also up from 2003, and Nash wasn't an All-Star in 2004.

The Mavs were in a tough position whether or not to re-sign him. Instead of re-signing in Dallas, Nash would sign with the Suns and go back to the team where his career began on a six-year deal.

So how did Nash turn out playing back in Phoenix? Nash would win back-to-back MVPs and finished second in 2007. Nash would also lead the league in assists in five of the next seven NBA seasons.

Not re-signing Nash would turn out to be a mistake for the Mavs as his superstar play was reached in Phoenix. If Nash was in Dallas, maybe he would've been the piece the Mavs needed to get over the hump from the frustrating 2005-2010 period.

It has to be frustrating for the Mavs knowing that they decided to bring a player back and he would turn out to win back-to-back MVPs the first two seasons after leaving, and it's heartbreaking to think about the potential he and Dirk Nowitzki would have had if they played together longer.