Nearly 400 players have suited up in the green, white or blue for the Dallas Mavericks over the first 45 years of the franchise. To commemorate their anniversary, we’re ranking the top 45.
The list was created by Mavericks writer Mike Curtis with input from Mavericks writer Brad Townsend and columnist Kevin Sherrington. It was revealed in pieces throughout the past week.
Only players who were with the Mavericks for at least two seasons were considered, so future Hall of Famers Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson weren’t eligible. Other factors include accomplishments, impact with the Mavericks, longevity, statistics and talent. The accolades listed are for their entire careers, not only in Dallas.
Find detailed write-ups for each player here:
Mavericks
Monday: Nos. 36-45
Tuesday: Nos. 26-35
Wednesday: Nos. 25-16
Thursday: Nos. 15-6
Friday: Nos. 5-1
The full top 45:
45. Dale Ellis (SF/SG)
NBA Iron Man A.C. Green holds up an autographed game ball and walks with a cane given to him by Mavericks head coach Don Nelson in celebration of Green’s 1,000th consecutive start against Vancouver in March 1999.
MULVEY, Michael / File
44. A.C. Green (PF/SF)
43. Detlef Schrempf (SF/PF)
42. Adrian Dantley (SF)
Herb Williams: Williams, a 6-11 forward/center, was aquired by the Mavs from Indiana for Detlef Schrempf and Dallas’ 1990 second-round choice. It was a close call between Williams and Randy White. Williams averaged 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in four seasons with Dallas. Other W’s: Antoine Walker, Samaki Walker, Bill Wennington, Morlon Wiley, Antoine Wright.
41. Herb Williams (C/PF)
40. George McCloud (SF)
ORG XMIT: *S0405276710* Taken Sunday, 1/26/2003 — DIGITAL #40389—-Dallas’ Nick Van Exel in action against the Trail Blazers, as Portland beat the Mavs 100-93 Sunday at the American Airlines Center. 04062003xSPORTS
LOUIS DeLUCA – 181200
39. Nick Van Exel (PG/SG)
38. Jim Spanarkel (SG/SF)
37. Popeye Jones (PF)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, right, tries to shoot against Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Washington. The Mavericks won 137-101. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Nick Wass / AP
36. Maxi Kleber (PF/C)
35. Dereck Lively II (C)
34. Daniel Gafford (C)
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington celebrates a dunk by forward Derrick Jones Jr. during the final minutes of a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals on Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Dallas.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
33. P.J. Washington (SF/PF)
Dallas’ Erick Dampier in action during the Dallas Mavericks San Antonio Spurs Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference playoff series at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Friday, April 23, 2010.
LOUIS DeLUCA/Staff Photographer
32. Erick Dampier (C)
31. Wesley Matthews (SG/SF)
Dallas Mavericks guard Vince Carter (25) beats his chest was he walks off the court following his game winning three pointer against the San Antonio Spurs in1 the NBA Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 3 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, April 26, 2014. The Mavericks won, 109-108. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)
Tom Fox – Staff Photographer
30. Vince Carter (SG/SF)
29. Dwight Powell (C/PF)
28. Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG/SF)
Dallas Mavericks center Shawn Bradley tries to shoot over Los Angeles Lakers center Sean Rooks Sunday, April 6, 1997, at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers beat the Mavericks 87-80. (AP Photo/Michael Tweed) ORG XMIT: LA105
MICHAEL TWEED / Associated Press
27. Shawn Bradley (C)
26. Harrison Barnes (PF/SF)
Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) reacts after hitting a first quarter three-pointer against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of a NBA Western Conference semifinal game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, May 8, 2022.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
25. Dorian Finney-Smith (PF/SF)
24. Jerry Stackhouse (SG/SF)
23. Jay Vincent (SF/PF)
Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) tries to drive around Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, in San Francisco.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
22. Jalen Brunson (PG/SG)
21. Devin Harris (PG/SG)
Dallas Mavericks forward Jamal Mashburn in action during a game with the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 9, 1995.
Staff Photo
20. Jamal Mashburn (SF)
19. James Donaldson (C)
18. Jim Jackson (SF/SG)
17. Roy Tarpley (PF/C)
Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) reacts after forcing a turnover on Miami Heat power forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter during Game 2 of the NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena Thursday, June 2, 2011 in Miami. Dallas won the game 95-93. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News) 06032011xSPORTS 12092011xSPORTS
Michael Ainsworth / Staff Photographer
16. Tyson Chandler (C)
Josh Howard was the Mavericks’ first-round draft choice in 2003.
File photo
15. Josh Howard (SF)
14. J.J. Barea (PG/SG)
13. Shawn Marion (SF/PF)
12. Sam Perkins (PF)
11. Brad Davis (PG)
10. Kyrie Irving (PG/SG)
9. Steve Nash (PG)
Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Jason Terry (31) reacts in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center Sunday, June 5, 2011 in Dallas.
Vernon Bryant / Staff Photographer
8. Jason Terry (SG/PG)
7. Michael Finley (SF/SG)
6. Jason Kidd (PG)
Dallas Mavericks forward Mark Aguirre (24) passes the ball as Houston Rockets forward Purvis Short (10), left, defends during game 4 of the 1st round of the Western Conference playoffs at The Summit on May 5, 1988 in Houston. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Houston Rockets 107-97 to clinch the series 3-1.
Paula Nelson
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Staff Photographer
5. Mark Aguirre (SF)
Donald Carter, ex-majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, gets a warm greeting from Dallas Mavericks Derek Harper prior to the Mavericks game against the Seattle Supersonics on April 10, 1997.
Michael Ainsworth
4. Derek Harper (PG/SG)
Rolando Blackman: Dallas drafted the 6-6 guard from Kansas State ninth overall in 1981. Blackman played 11 seasons in Dallas. He never averaged fewer than 13.3 points and game (rookie season) and had three seasons where he scored more than 20 per game and three at more than 19 per game. He averaged 21.6 ppg in 48 playoff games. Other B’s: Uwe Blab, Raja Bell, Shawn Bradley, Greg Buckner and Winford Boynes.
3. Rolando Blackman (SG)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in Dallas.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
2. Luka Doncic (PG)
Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots on Miami Heat power forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the second quarter of play in game six of the NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena Sunday, June 12, 2011 in Miami (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
1. Dirk Nowitzki (PF)
Dallas Mavericks announce signing of guard D’Moi Hodge
The Mavs continue to add depth to their backcourt prior to the start of training camp.
Final day of ranking the top 45 Mavericks in franchise history: The best of the best
To compile the rankings, our Mavs writers considered a variety of factors, including accomplishments, impact with the Mavericks and more.
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