DALLAS -- For some odd reason, the Dallas Mavericks haven't exactly done very well when it comes to drafting impact players.
The last player the Mavs drafted that turned in a significant impact in the NBA was Josh Howard, who was the 29th and final pick of the first round of the 2003 draft. Howard made the NBA all-rookie second team in a draft that included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison, Carmelo Anthony, David West, Kirk Hinrich, Chris Kaman and Boris Diaw.
Howard went on to make the 2007 NBA All-Star team before the Mavs traded him to the Washington Wizards on Feb. 13, 2010.
Other than Howard, the last time the Mavs drafted a player who had an impact in the NBA was Jason Kidd, who was chosen No. 2 overall in the 1994 draft. Before that the Mavs' impact draftees includes Jamal Mashburn (No. 4 overall in 1993), Jim Jackson (No. 4 overall in 1992) and Roy Tarpley (No. 7 overall in 1986).
It must be noted that forward Dirk Nowitzki has spent his entire 14-year career with the Mavs. However, the Mavs officially didn't draft Nowitzki.
With the sixth pick of the 1998 draft, the Mavs selected Michigan forward Robert "Tractor'' Traylor. Nowitzki was drafted ninth overall in that draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.
But in a pre-arranged deal, the Mavs traded Traylor to the Bucks for Nowitzki.
And in 2000, the Mavs traded the draft rights of center Dan Langhi to Houston for the draft rights of forward Eduardo Najera, who was a gritty rotation player during his four-year tenure with the Mavs.
This past Thursday, the Mavs drafted North Carolina center Tyler Zeller with the 17th pick. But they ended up trading guard Kelenna Azubuike and Zeller's draft rights to Cleveland for three picks that ended up being Oregon State shooting guard Jared Cunningham, Florida State power forward Bernard James and Marquette small forward Jae Crowder.
-- Dwain Price
Follow me on Twitter
@dwainprice
what the idiots should have done was take Jared Sullinger who fell all the way to 21st. i don't care if he has a bad back or not, it didn't show up at OSU and he seemed to do just fine there. rare chance to get top 5 talent at the 17 slot and we traded it?!!?! makes zero sense. low salary/low risk drafting him there, and if his back gives out on a rookie deal who cares. does no one there do cost/risk analysis anymore? of all the teams that desperately need cheap potential franchise talent, i can't believe the Mavs passed on him.
even if his back gives out, not taking a chance on a cheapo draft pick is inexcusable. no wonder this team is on the way out, the drafts are always godawful, leaving a team made via free agency as the only option. turrible.
Posted by: The Swami | June 30, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Ever heard of Dirk, Dwain? At least Dallas didn't draft damaged goods like the other Jared. Cunningham is a good match for what thye need to defend Westbrook. Which is much better than drafting a backup for Dirk. And free agency is how they won the title and if they want to do it again, that's the only way that worked for them.
Posted by: sigma1575 | July 01, 2012 at 04:10 AM