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⁾