Each NBA team’s greatest free agent signing in franchise history

Dallas Mavericks: Shawn Marion, Small Forward (2009-14)

After failing to capitalize on a 2-0 series lead in the 2006 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks had flatlined somewhat with back-to-back first-round exits followed by an unconvincing five-game defeat in round two.

Nobody doubted their ability to make the playoffs, but anything more was up in the air. It was as if the Mavericks had reached their ceiling as a team. In order to expand it to a championship level, they would have to bring in reinforcements, specifically at the small forward spot, where Antoine Wright — a career 5.4 points per game scorer — had occupied the position the previous season.

Shawn Marion had risen to prominence as a member of the “Seven Seconds or Less” Phoenix Suns, where his length and quickness caused problems against the slow-footed power forwards of the mid-2000s. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and could guard up to four positions at a time, making him the ultimate asset at the defensive end.

The Mavericks ultimately managed to acquire Marion in a very complicated four-team sign-and-trade deal with the Toronto Raptors. It took a season for “The Matrix” to get acclimated, but it was in the 2010-11 campaign where his defense truly came in handy.

Dallas was tasked with slowing some of the best perimeter players in the hopes of advancing each round. Marion didn’t shut them down, nor was he the only one to take on the challenge.

He played a large part in an overall team effort that helped the Mavericks clamp Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James in consecutive series on their way to their first championship in franchise history.

Marion’s playoff numbers of 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game were nice, but they don’t tell the full story of his impact. He was the perimeter defender Dallas so desperately needed to help get through the best of the west. Like so much of that 2011 team, he came at the perfect time that allowed him to make the biggest impact.