Dallas Mavericks: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks after scoring a basket against Kenrich Williams #34 of the New Orleans Pelicans to become the sixth all-time leading scorer in the NBA at American Airlines Center on March 18, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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2. Blockbuster deadline deal

In acquiring Luka Doncic over the summer, the Mavericks felt confident in their future with arguably the best player of the 2018 draft class. Dirk would soon be retired, leaving the franchise to Doncic as he would continue to grow with potential unkept by a ceiling.

Almost in an instant near the trade deadline, Dallas unexpectedly had not one franchise cornerstone, but two. The front office had pulled off a deal to acquire disgruntled New York Knicks All-Star Kristaps Porzingis in a transaction of epic proportions and blockbuster status that shook the league to its very core.

Since coming into the league back in 2015, KP had drawn numerous comparisons to Dirk for his size and outside shooting abilities. The Mavs now had his understudy, except the only difference is Porzingis has proven to be more athletic than Nowitzki ever was, with both poster jams and dynamic blocks over the course of his three-year career.

The move shifted the entire future of the league. Suddenly, the Mavericks had one of the brightest futures across the NBA, blessed with two young international studs in an organization that knows all about developing those from overseas.

Injury concerns are obvious for the Unicorn given his continuous rehab from a torn ACL suffered over a year ago, but if he comes back healthy, the rest of the league is in trouble. Dallas will be home to the next dynamic inside-out duo thanks in large part to the team’s ability to pounce on a golden opportunity that has set them up for years to come.

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