1 Player from each decade the Dallas Mavericks gave up on way too soon

2. 2010s: Tyson Chandler

During the Dallas Mavericks' run to the 2011 NBA Finals, all eyes were on Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Jason Kidd. Nowitzki helped will this team to beat the Miami Heat in six games while Terry provided superb shooting and Kidd was a great passer and defender, but some people forget about the big man down low who anchored the defense.

Tyson Chandler was the heart and soul of that Mavericks team, and he was a huge fan favorite in Dallas. Chandler was a member of the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team that season and was third in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, and that dominance carried over into the 2011 NBA Playoffs.

Chandler averaged 8.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the field in these playoffs, and he started in every game. He brought amazing hustle, energy, and rim protection to the Mavs, but all of that was quickly gone.

Dallas sent Chandler to the New York Knicks in a multi-team sign-and-trade, and the Mavs paid for this decision.

The next year, Chandler won Defensive Player of the Year and was on the All-NBA Third Team. This made Dallas look foolish for not prioritizing keeping him on the team, and they ended up bringing him back for the 2014-15 season.

Even though Chandler only played two seasons for the Mavs, he'll always be remembered as a Dallas legend for the contributions he made in 2011. Dallas should have never let him walk away.

Chandler now helps coach for Dallas, and was key in Dereck Lively II's development last year as he always seemed to be working with him.