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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Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Mavericks Worst Move #9: Signing Erick Dampier

Early on in Cuban’s ownership of the Mavericks, the team had a revolving door at center, but they hoped that Erick Dampier would be their long-term answer at the position. Dampier spent the first few seasons of his career with the Indiana Pacers and then the Golden State Warriors and was a capable starter before having an impressive contract season that earned him a payday with the Mavericks.

Dampier was signed to a 7-year, $73,000,000 deal and then traded to the Mavericks, where he spent a total of six seasons not doing much. He averaged just 6.5 points and a respectable 7.6 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game over that span. Had he been paid more like the role player that he was, he would have been fine, but he was making around 20% of the salary cap during those six seasons in Dallas.

Hindsight is 20/20, but it seemed obvious that Dampier wasn’t worth the money when he was initially signed. Fortunately, for the Mavericks, the final year of his deal was non-guaranteed, allowing them to trade him to a team looking to cut salary. The Charlotte Bobcats were that team, and they agreed to trade Tyson Chandler in a deal for Dampier. Chandler would later help Dallas win a championship, so no harm, no foul, right? Not exactly, but we’ll get to that a little bit later.