Top 10 Dallas Mavericks duos of all time

The Dallas Mavericks are one of the top offensive teams in the NBA. Dallas is shooting a league-high 39.5 percent from the 3-point line while averaging 123.4 points per game.

Sixth man Tim Hardaway Jr. has been a big part of the team's improved offense. He averages 18.7 points per game and shoots above 40 percent from behind the 3-point line. In Dallas's win against the Washington Wizards Wednesday, Hardaway Jr. dropped 31 points while knocking in seven 3-pointers.

Newcomer Grant Williams has also played a pivotal role in the team's improved offense. He is shooting 49.2 percent from behind the arc and is the Mavs' fourth-leading scorer.

Top 10 Dallas Mavericks duos of all time

However, a majority of the Dallas' offense is driven by All-Stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Doncic is the team's main man, as he leads the Mavs in points, assists, and rebounds per game. Through 12 games, he is averaging 30.7 points per game, the third-highest in the league, while shooting 50.2 percent from the field.

Irving, on the other hand, is averaging 22.3 points per game. He has been a valuable asset for Dallas and has done a great job taking the pressure off Luka.

Doncic and Irving are averaging 53.0 points per game combined and dominating everyone that is in front of them. They are a lethal threat together and have been headaches for defenses.

So just how good is the Mavs' duo? Where might they compare to past Dallas duos?

Either way, this pair has a lot of work to do if they want to be labeled the top duo in franchise history.

Here are the top ten duos in Dallas Mavericks history (from worst to best).

10. Jason Kidd & Jamal Mashburn

Jason Kidd and Jamal Mashburn were the top young duo in the 1990s. The Dallas pair brought success in their first season together but struggled to connect on the court.

The Mavs drafted Mashburn during the 1993 NBA Draft. He had a successful rookie season, averaging 19.2 points per game. However, the team struggled to find that winning mentality, as they finished the season with a record of 13-69.

A year later, the Mavs drafted Jason Kidd. Kidd and Mashburn formed a dynamic trio with Jim Jackson (The Triple J's). The team got off to a hot start that season, winning seven of their first 11 games. However, Dallas struggled during the second half.

The team would finish the year with a 36-46 record, and Kidd would tie Grant Hill for the Rookie of the Year.

Things however didn't pan out how Dallas had hoped, as off-court issues and injuries began to pill up. Kidd would play one more season with the team before being traded during the 1996-97 season. His inability to connect with coaches made Dallas trade him to the Phoenix Suns.

Mashburn struggled with injuries and had trouble getting his weight down. He would later get traded to the Miami Heat.

This duo had potential, as they helped Dallas improve their win percentage by 23 games. The 1994-95 season would be their only complete season together.

Could a happy Kidd have helped Dallas get over their losing woes sooner? What about Mashburn, what if he never got hurt?

9. Luka Doncic & Kristaps Porzingis

Another duo that had potential was Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.

During their first season together, the Dallas duo helped the team reach the playoffs for the first since the 2016 campaign. The Mavs finished as the seventh seed that year but failed to play out a complete season as COVID hit.

Dallas ended up losing in the first round to the LA Clippers in six games.

The following year would be the final season Doncic and Porzingis would play together. That season, Dallas finished as the fifth-best team in the West.

The Mavs ended up falling to the LA Clippers against in the first round of the playoffs.

The problem was the duo failed to establish a connection. They would fail to find each other on the court or meet each other's expectations.

The failed chemistry between Doncic and Porzingis, and the injuries made it easy for Dallas to trade the 7-foot-3 star.

Dallas would go on to find success after the Porzingis, as the team would reach the Western Conference Finals.

8. Dirk Nowitzki & Monta Ellis

The next duo on the list may have been temporary, but they were an exciting bunch to watch.

Two years after winning the championship, the Dallas Mavericks were still trying to find pieces to pair alongside Dirk Nowitzki. During the 2013-14 season, Dallas signed Monta Ellis to a three-year contract.

In his first season with the Mavs, Ellis averaged 19 points per game and shot 45 percent from the field. He played a role in helping Dallas reach the playoffs after missing the year before. Nowitzki also helped out, as he averaged above 21 points per game.

That season, the Mavs finished as the eight seed in the West. The team faced off against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Ellis and Nowitzki pushed the Spurs to a game seven, thanks to the help of Vince Carter.

Dallas later traded for Rajon Rondo the following season, hoping to form a dynamic trio with Dirk and Ellis. The trade proved to be a failure, as Rondo left right after the season.

Ellis also left the following season, opting out of the final year of his contract.

If only Dirk had been 10 years younger, him and Ellis might have been one of the top duos in the league.

7. Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are the next duo on the list. After half a season, the Dallas Mavericks are still trying to figure out the duo's true potential.

During their first season together, Doncic and Irving performed well offensively. Doncic averaged a career-high 32.4 points game, while shooting 49.6 percent from the court.

Irving on the other poured in 27 points per game and knocked down 39 percent of his 3-pointers.

In most viewers' eyes, this would be considered a success. However, the problem was the Dallas duo struggled to find a connection.

During Doncic and Irving's first couple of games together, Dallas struggled to find a primary ball handler. Doncic would be hesitant to take the last shot or pass the ball to Irving.

This season, things have been different between the two. The chemistry between Doncic and Irving has improved, as they can better understand each other on the court.

Dallas currently has the third-best record in the league and leads the league in 3-point percentage. They also average 123.4 points per game, the second-highest in the league. A big part of their success this season has been Irving and Doncic.

While the season may be young, the Dallas' duo has a chance to take the team to the next level.

So, what are the chances Doncic and Irving continue to climb this list in the next couple of years?

6. Dirk Nowitzki & Steve Nash

One duo who could be higher on this list is Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. The two friends helped elevate Dallas back to the playoffs, after a 10-year hiatus.

Together, they were unstoppable. During the 2001-02 season, both players made the All-Star Game, as they helped Dallas to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

They formed an unstoppable trio with Michael Finley. The three of them played a role in helping Dallas be competitive in a hard-fought Western Conference.

Nash and Nowitzki had their best year during the 2002-03 season. They finished third in the West and advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 1987-88 season.

Nash was a fan favorite during his time in Dallas and a positive contributor to putting Dallas back on the map.

The problem was their time together was short-lived. After the 2003-04 season, Nash left Dallas to sign with the Phoenix Suns. The Mavs failed to meet Nash's contract expectations.

The signing worked out for Dallas, as they would reach the conference finals two seasons later and won the NBA Championship in 2011.

If only Dirk had won a title with Nash, what are the chances they could have won multiple?

5. Dirk Nowitzki & Josh Howard

Another pair to round up the Dallas Mavericks' top 10 list is Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard. The Dallas' duo had multiple successful seasons together.

During the 2005-06 season, Howard upped his game, averaging 15.6 points per game. He played a pivotal role in helping the Mavs reach the 2006 NBA Finals. Howard and Nowitzki were up 2-0 on the Miami Heat during the finals before losing four straight games.

A season later, Howard made his first All-Star Game. Howard and the Mavs won 67 games during the 2006-07 season. He and Dirk went to the playoffs every season they played together. His ability to help the team reach the Finals and win 67 games is why I have him ranked above Steve Nash.

Every season Howard was always improving and working hard to become a better player. The problem was he let his off-court issues get in the way.

Dallas ended up trading Howard in 2010. Dallas benefited from the trade, as they would win the championship the following season. Howard, on the other hand, would be bounced around the league after suffering various injuries.

What might have happened if Howard stayed one more season? Could he have still helped Nowitzki win the title?

4. Mark Aguirre & Rolando Blackman

One Dallas duo that gets overlooked is Mark Aguirre and Rolando Blackman. The Dallas All-Stars were a significant part of the team's success in the 80s.

During their time together, they made five straight playoff appearances and combined for seven All-Star selections.

Before their arrival, the Dallas Mavericks were a new team struggling to make the postseason. It wasn't until 1984 that the team made its first playoff appearance in team history.

Blackman and Aguirre helped Dallas win their first-ever playoff series that same season. Against the Seattle Supersonics, Aguirre averaged 25.2 points per game, while Blackman poured in 24.6 points per game. The team would later fall to the Los Angeles Lakers during the Conference Semifinals.

The Mavs pair got their big break during the 1988 Playoffs. That year, the team advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time in team history.

The team would eventually fall to the reining champion Lakers in seven.

However, Blackman and Aguirre were huge contributors in helping Dallas. They helped make history on numerous occasions. It was until the 2003 playoffs that the team had reached the Conference finals again. This is what sets them apart from the rest of the pack.

What if the Mavs faced another team besides the Lakers in the Conference finals; would things have been different?

3. Luka Doncic & Jalen Brunson

Luka Doncic makes the list once again, as he and Jalen Brunson had some great runs together.

The former Dallas backcourt' were a great combo during their short period together.

During the 2022 season, the Mavs traded Kristaps Porzingis, as they were looking to revamp their roster. The expectation was Dallas could only go as far as Doncic could take them.

However, that narrative changed when Brunson became an everyday starter. In the playoffs, he became a completely different person.

Brunson stepped up when Doncic missed the first three games of the 2022 Playoffs. Against the Utah Jazz, he averaged 27.8 points per game. In game 2, he dropped 41 points and seven rebounds.

Brunson continued performing at a high level even when Doncic came back. The pair found balance in each other while ensuring the offense flowed.

During the Conference semifinals, the Dallas duo combined for 59 points in a game 7 blowout against the Phoenix Suns.

The highlight was Doncic and Brunson leading Dallas to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2011.

If only Brunson had stayed. Could he and Doncic have continued to perform at a high level? Could they have advanced to another Conference Finals?

2. Dirk Nowitzki & Jason Kidd

It is without question that you can't make a list of the top Dallas Mavericks' duos without including Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. The Dallas pair played five seasons together and made the most of it.

The Mavs traded for Jason Kidd during the 2007-08 season, as they were looking for a primary ball handler to carry the offense. Kidd helped Dallas reach the playoff in all five of his seasons in Dallas.

With Nowitzki and Kidd together, the team would struggle to go deep in the playoffs. Kidd's first season with the team was a work in progress. Dallas fell to the New Orleans Hornets in the first round. The team would advance to the conference semifinals the following year but again got knocked out of the playoffs.

The team's big break came in 2011 when Kidd and Dirk did the impossible. That season, the team made the playoffs as the third seed in the West.

They would defeat the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs before defeating the Miami Heat in six to win the NBA Championship.

Their short time together turned out to be wonderful, as Kidd helped Nowitki get over the hump.

What might it have been like if a prime Jason Kidd played with Dirk? How many more title could they have won?

1. Dirk Nowitzki & Jason Terry

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry are the best duo in Dallas Mavericks history. Their ability to overcome various obstacles and bounce back makes them different.

In 2006, Dirk and Terry helped Dallas make the NBA Finals for the first time in team history. The pair would fall to the Miami Heat in six games after having a 2-0 lead. The team would get their revenge in 2011 when they defeated a Heat team that consisted of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.

It was Dirk and Terry's performance in Game 6 that helped seal the team for Dallas.

Before the Mavs acquired Terry in 2004, Nowitzki had his share of well-known teammates. Dirk saw the likes of Steve Nash, Michael Finley, Antawn Jamison, and Nick Van Exel all come and go.

However it was Terry who helped Nowitzki advance to two finals appearances.

Their high scoring offense and lethal 3-point shooting is another thing that made the Dallas' pair stand out.

It is safe to say that Dirk and Terry have the most accomplished resume of any the team's past duos. Their winning mentality is something that can't be forgotten.

Thank you to the Dallas' pair for helping Dallas' fans understand what winning is like.