10 Most heartbreaking moments in Dallas Mavericks history

3. Passing on Kobe Bryant at 1996 NBA Draft

In the 1990s, one common thing was normal for the Mavericks.

Losing.

As the Mavericks entered the 1996 NBA Draft, the team was in a six-year playoff drought. The Mavs were looking for a dynamic player to help get them out of the drought.

The Mavs held the ninth pick in the draft and selected Louisville big man Samaki Walker. Four selections later, Kobe Bryant was drafted by the Hornets. Not drafting a dynamic guard fresh out of Lower Merion High School to pair with 1995 Rookie of the Year Jason Kidd in the backcourt was a risky move.

How did Walker's career turn out in Dallas?

Walker spent three seasons in Dallas where he failed to average nine points a game in a season. The Mavs failed to make the playoffs with Walker on the team. Walker would go on to play for five more teams after leaving Dallas and was out of the NBA after the 2005-06 season.

How did Bryant's career turn out? Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA team member, 2008 MVP, five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and a two-time scoring champion. Bryant retired with the third most points in NBA history with 33,643.

Not drafting Bryant will be the biggest draft mistake in the Mavericks' history. Passing on a big NBA legend like Bryant would go on to haunt the Mavericks for years and is heartbreaking to think about.