The Dallas Mavericks were established as an NBA expansion team in 1980.¹⁾

Their first-ever draft pick was Kiki Vandeweghe in 1980, though he refused to play for them and was traded.²⁾

The Mavs reached the playoffs in just their fourth season (1983–84).³⁾

They reached the Western Conference Finals in 1988 but lost to the Lakers in 7 games.⁴⁾

Dirk Nowitzki is widely considered the greatest player in franchise history.⁵⁾

Dirk was drafted by Milwaukee in 1998 and immediately traded to Dallas.⁶⁾

Jason Kidd had two stints with the team: 1994–1996 and 2008–2012.⁷⁾

The Mavs won their first NBA title in 2011 by defeating the Miami Heat.⁸⁾

Dallas swept the defending champion Lakers in the 2011 playoffs.⁹⁾

Dallas beat the Heat in the 2011 Finals, avenging their 2006 Finals loss.¹⁰⁾

Don Nelson, former head coach, helped popularize small-ball lineups in the 2000s.¹¹⁾

Billionaire Mark Cuban purchased the Mavs in 2000, changing the culture instantly.¹²⁾

They’ve played at the American Airlines Center since 2001.¹³⁾

Dirk played 21 seasons—all with the Mavericks.¹⁴⁾

Luka Dončić became the franchise cornerstone after being acquired in the 2018 draft.¹⁵⁾

Dallas traded Trae Young and a pick to Atlanta for Luka Dončić in 2018.¹⁶⁾

Dallas scored their franchise-high 150 points against Phoenix in 2023.¹⁷⁾

They changed from green to the now-iconic navy, silver, and royal blue.¹⁸⁾

Nowitzki won the league MVP in 2007—the only Mav to do so.¹⁹⁾

In 2006–07, the Mavs finished with a franchise-best 67 wins.²⁰⁾

They were upset by the 8th-seeded Warriors in 2007 after that 67-win season.²¹⁾

That upset by Golden State is one of the most famous playoff surprises in NBA history.²²⁾

Under Cuban’s ownership, Dallas has often had one of the NBA’s best home records.²³⁾

Nowitzki's patented one-legged fadeaway is now iconic and emulated by many.²⁴⁾

Dirk was named Finals MVP for his heroic 2011 performance.²⁵⁾

In 2022, the Mavericks retired Nowitzki’s jersey in an emotional ceremony.²⁶⁾

Kidd returned to the team as head coach, aiming to guide the Luka era.²⁷⁾

Luka Dončić quickly became known for his frequent triple-doubles.²⁸⁾

Luka holds the Mavericks’ record for most triple-doubles in a single season.²⁹⁾

Dallas has had many heated playoff battles with the San Antonio Spurs.³⁰⁾