The 10 worst front office moves by the Dallas Mavericks since 2000

By Cal Durrett | Aug 21, 2023

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 19: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban looks on during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 19, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 107-105. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Steve Nash #13 of the Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

Mavericks Worst Move #1: Letting Steve Nash leave

For five seasons, the Mavericks had two Hall of Famers in their primes, which is often the recipe for a dynasty. Unfortunately, the Western Conference was absolutely stacked during that five-year stretch, including the Duncan Spurs, the Shaq and Kobe Lakers, and the Chris Webber Sacramento Kings.

The Mavericks made three deep playoff runs before the fateful summer of 2004. The then 30-year-old Steve Nash was a free agent, and Cuban made the decision to offer him a 5-year, $45 million contract. Offering a 30-year-old a five-year deal is usually a risky proposition, but the Phoenix Suns, who drafted Nash, offered six years and $63 million. He obviously chose the Suns as a result.

Letting Nash walk turned out to be a huge mistake. He returned to the Suns and quickly proved to be the missing piece on a team with a promising core that featured Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, and Joe Johnson.

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Nash would win two MVP awards as a member of the Suns and helped beat his former team in the playoffs in the 2005 postseason. Had Cuban simply matched the offer, Dirk and Nash might’ve finally gotten over the hump, and each would have had multiple championships. Unsurprisingly, this ranks as Dallas’ biggest front-office mistake since 2000.