DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) — Dallas didn’t hold a pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft — but no one’s exactly complaining.
The team used its two second round picks in a trade to re-acquire Knicks’ center Tyson Chandler. And the Mavs’ recent draft history isn’t spectacular.
So let’s take this opportunity to recall the top 5 draft picks in the franchise’s history.
5. Derek Harper (1983: 1st Round, No. 11)
After drafting the Fighting Illini guard with the 11th pick in 1983, Harper spent the first 10 seasons of his career with Dallas.
Harper appeared in 872 games with the Mavericks — 3rd most all time — compiling 12597 points (4th), 5111 assists (1st), and 1551 steals (1st).
Harper appeared in 48 playoff games, helping the team to its appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 1988.
Derek Harper of the Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)
4. Mark Aguirre (1981: No. 1 overall)
Aguirre faced high expectations after the Mavs selected him with the first overall pick in 1981 — expectations that were largely met.
In just 7+ seasons with Dallas, the small forward averaged nearly 25 points per game, climbing to third on the team’s all-time scoring list.
The three-time All Star went on to win consecutive titles with the Pistons after the Mavs traded him during the 98-99 season.
Mark Aguirre looks to pass during the NBA game against the Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1987. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
3. Rolando Blackman (1981, 1st Round, No. 9)
Blackman and Brad Davis are the only two jerseys hanging from the rafters in Dallas.
In 11 seasons with the Mavs, Blackman was named an All Star four times and reached the playoffs six times.
He was the team’s all-time leading scorer before Dirk Nowitzki broke his record in 2008.
Rolando Blackman passes against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1984 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
2. Jason Kidd (1994: Round 1, No. 2)
Simply put, Jason Kidd is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.
Kidd trails only John Stockton in career assists (12,091) and steals (3,265). His 107 career triple doubles are third all-time, behind only Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.
After playing just 2+ seasons in Dallas in his first stint, Kidd returned to Dallas and helped secure the franchise’s first and only NBA title.
Jason Kidd and Mitch Richmond fist pump during a game played circa 1995 at Arco Arena in Sacramento. (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images)
1. Robert “Tractor” Traylor/ Dirk Nowitzki (1998: Round 1, No. 9)
Call it a technicality, but Dirk Nowitzki belongs on this list.
No, the Mavericks didn’t draft the German forward in 1998, but they did pull off one of the great draft day trades in NBA history.
In a mutli-team trade, the Mavs sent Traylor (Milwaukee) and Pat Garrity away, receiving Nowitzki and Steve Nash in return.
Nowitzki is a 12-time All Star, NBA Finals MVP, and league MVP. He leads the franchise in games, minutes, field goals, points, free throws, and rebounds.
Dirk Nowitzki (PAUL BUCK/AFP/Getty Images) and Robert “Tractor” Traylor (Jonathan Daniel /Allsport)
Honorable Mention: Josh Howard, Jamal Mashburn
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