History of the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are one of the NBA's most successful expansion franchises. Since joining the league in 1980, the Mavericks have grown from an expansion team into perennial contenders, capturing their first NBA championship in 2011 behind the brilliance of Dirk Nowitzki. Along the way, the franchise has featured Hall of Fame players, innovative ownership, and some of the league's most memorable playoff moments. Today, the Mavericks remain one of the NBA's premier franchises, continuing to build on a legacy of excellence.

The NBA Arrives in Dallas

Professional basketball came to Dallas when the NBA awarded the city an expansion franchise for the 1980–81 season.

Businessman Don Carter became the team's first owner, while longtime NBA executive Norm Sonju helped establish the organization.

The nickname "Mavericks" was selected through a fan contest, reflecting the independent spirit of Texas and inspired in part by the popular television western Maverick.

The Mavericks played their home games at Reunion Arena, quickly developing a loyal fan base despite the typical growing pains of an expansion franchise.

Building a Young Contender

Unlike many expansion clubs, Dallas improved rapidly through smart drafting.

The Mavericks selected:

• Mark Aguirre
• Rolando Blackman
• Jay Vincent
• Derek Harper
• Sam Perkins

Under head coach Dick Motta, Dallas steadily climbed the Western Conference standings.

First Playoff Success

The Mavericks reached the playoffs for the first time during the 1983–84 season, only their fourth year in the NBA.

By the late 1980s, Dallas had become one of the Western Conference's top teams.

During the 1987–88 season, the Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference Finals, pushing the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers to seven games before falling just short of the NBA Finals.

That team featured:

• Mark Aguirre
• Rolando Blackman
• Derek Harper
• Sam Perkins
• James Donaldson

Decline During the 1990s

Following the breakup of the late-1980s core, Dallas entered one of the most difficult periods in franchise history.

Despite talented players including:

• Jim Jackson
• Jamal Mashburn
• Jason Kidd
• Popeye Jones

The trio of Jason Kidd, Jim Jackson, and Jamal Mashburn, known as the "Three Js," generated enormous excitement but never reached its full potential because of injuries, chemistry issues, and roster instability.

Dallas missed the playoffs in ten consecutive seasons from 1991 through 2000.

A Franchise-Changing Trade

Everything changed during the 1998 NBA Draft.

Dallas acquired Dirk Nowitzki from the Milwaukee Bucks shortly after he was selected ninth overall.

The Mavericks also hired Don Nelson as head coach and general manager.

Together, Nelson and Nowitzki transformed the franchise.

Mark Cuban Purchases the Team

In 2000, internet entrepreneur Mark Cuban purchased the Mavericks.

Cuban revolutionized NBA ownership through investments in player facilities, technology, analytics, and fan experiences, making Dallas one of the league's model organizations.

The Big Three

Under Don Nelson, Dallas built one of the NBA's highest-scoring offenses around:

• Dirk Nowitzki
• Steve Nash
• Michael Finley

The trio led Dallas to multiple 50-win seasons while consistently ranking among the NBA's elite offensive teams.

2006 NBA Finals

The Mavericks reached their first NBA Finals during the 2005–06 season.

Led by:

• Dirk Nowitzki
• Jason Terry
• Josh Howard
• Devin Harris

Dallas defeated the Phoenix Suns to capture the Western Conference Championship.

The Mavericks built a 2–0 series lead before the Miami Heat rallied to win four straight games behind Dwyane Wade.

Dirk Wins MVP

During the 2006–07 season, Dallas posted a franchise-best 67–15 record.

Dirk Nowitzki became the first Maverick to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

Despite the historic season, Dallas suffered a shocking first-round playoff upset against the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors.

Redemption in 2011

The greatest season in franchise history came during the 2010–11 campaign.

Led by:

• Dirk Nowitzki
• Jason Kidd
• Jason Terry
• Tyson Chandler
• Shawn Marion

Dallas defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Oklahoma City Thunder before earning a rematch against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

The Mavericks defeated Miami in six games, with Dirk delivering one of the greatest postseason performances in NBA history to earn NBA Finals MVP.

Post-Championship Years

Following the championship, Dallas remained competitive while rebuilding around Dirk Nowitzki.

Key contributors during this period included:

• Monta Ellis
• Chandler Parsons
• J.J. Barea
• Wesley Matthews

Dirk's Farewell

Dirk Nowitzki retired following the 2018–19 season after spending all 21 NBA seasons with the Mavericks.

His remarkable career included:

• 1 NBA Championship
• 1 NBA MVP Award
• 14 NBA All-Star selections
• More than 31,000 career points

The Mavericks retired his No. 41 jersey, and a statue honoring Nowitzki now stands outside the American Airlines Center.

The Luka Dončić Era

Dallas acquired the draft rights to Luka Dončić during the 2018 NBA Draft.

Dončić won the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Award and rapidly became one of the NBA's brightest superstars.

The Mavericks reached the 2022 Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals, where they fell to the Boston Celtics.

A New Era

In February 2025, the Mavericks made one of the most surprising trades in NBA history by sending Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The move marked the beginning of a new era as Dallas continues pursuing another championship while building upon the franchise's proud tradition.

Home Arenas

Dallas Mavericks Timeline

Hall of Fame Players

• Dirk Nowitzki
• Jason Kidd
• Steve Nash
• Adrian Dantley
• Alex English
• Dennis Rodman

Franchise Greats

• Dirk Nowitzki
• Rolando Blackman
• Mark Aguirre
• Derek Harper
• Michael Finley
• Jason Terry
• Jason Kidd
• Steve Nash
• Luka Dončić
• Tyson Chandler
• Josh Howard
• J.J. Barea
• Sam Perkins
• James Donaldson

Notable Coaches

• Dick Motta
• John MacLeod
• Don Nelson
• Avery Johnson
• Rick Carlisle
• Jason Kidd

Legacy

The Dallas Mavericks have evolved from an ambitious expansion franchise into one of the NBA's model organizations. Their rise was fueled by outstanding drafting, visionary ownership, and the remarkable careers of superstars such as Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Dončić.

The 2011 NBA championship remains one of the league's greatest underdog stories, cementing Dirk Nowitzki's legacy as one of basketball's all-time greats. With a passionate fan base and a tradition of innovation, the Mavericks continue pursuing new chapters in one of the NBA's most compelling franchise histories.