Dallas Mavericks

The NBA awarded an expansion franchise to Don Carter’s investment group, with Norm Sonju as its first president and general manager. The Mavericks began playing in 1980–81 at Reunion Arena.⁠[1]

Dallas reached its first playoffs in 1984 and eliminated Seattle. Its first conference-final appearance in 1988 ended in a seven-game loss to the Lakers.⁠[2]

Dallas won only 11 games in 1992–93 and 13 the following season.⁠[2]

On draft night in 1998, Don Nelson acquired Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki in trades. Mark CubanMark CubanMark Cuban is an American entrepreneur and investor whose early work in computer systems and internet audio and video expanded into sports, film, venture investment and pharmaceuticals. He was the Dallas Mavericks’ controlling owner and a longstanding investor on Shark Tank, and co-founded Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.Open the full entry bought the team from Ross Perot Jr. in 2000.⁠[1]

Nash and Nowitzki helped end the club’s decade-long playoff drought. Nash returned to the Phoenix Suns in 2004.⁠[3]

American Airlines Center opened as the shared home of the Mavericks and Dallas StarsDallas StarsThe Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL). They play at American Airlines Center and continue the history of the Minnesota North Stars.Open the full entry. Located on Victory Avenue in Dallas, it was designed by David M. Schwarz and HKS.⁠[4]

Dallas reached its first Finals in 2006 but lost to Miami after leading 2–0. It won 67 games the next season before losing to Golden State in the first round.⁠[2]

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas to its first NBA championship and was named Finals MVP, having already won the regular-season MVP award in 2007. He spent all 21 of his NBA seasons with Dallas, becoming one of the franchise’s defining figures.⁠[5]

Dallas acquired third pick Luka Dončić’s draft rights from Atlanta.⁠[2]

The Adelson and Dumont families took control.⁠[6]

Patrick Dumont became the team’s governor.⁠[7]

Dallas lost the Finals 4–1 to the Celtics.⁠[8]

Dončić joined the Lakers; Davis arrived.⁠[9]

Dallas selected Cooper Flagg first overall.⁠[10]

Dallas dismissed executive Nico Harrison.⁠[11]

Masai Ujiri became team president.⁠[12]

Mike Schmitz became general manager.⁠[13]

Dusty May replaced Jason Kidd as head coach.⁠[14]

Dallas Mavericks: Official website: https://www.nba.com/mavs/ (opens in a new window).⁠[15]

Dallas Mavericks: X: https://x.com/dallasmavs (opens in a new window).⁠[16]

Dallas Mavericks: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasmavs/ (opens in a new window).⁠[17]

Dallas Mavericks: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dallasmavs (opens in a new window).⁠[18]

Dallas Mavericks: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/@mavericks (opens in a new window).⁠[19]