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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Rajon Rondo #9 of the Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Mavericks Worst Move #6: The Rondo Trade

The Mavericks’ decision to trade for former Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo is similar in a lot of ways to the Odom experiment. However, Rondo was a better player when Dallas traded for him, and the expectations were far higher. In the summer of 2014, Dallas managed to assemble a promising roster, including the return of Chandler.

They even started the season by leading the NBA in offensive rating before they made the fateful decision to trade for Rondo. While they only gave up a first for Odom, the Mavericks gave up a first, a second rounder and three rotation players in Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, and Brandan Wright.

That hurt Dallas’ depth but was supposed to increase their ceiling. It didn’t. Dallas’ offensive slid to fifth, with teams ignoring Rondo when he spotted up and going way under when he used ball screens, begging him to try and shoot from outside. He didn’t even have a positive impact on defense, which they hoped that he would.

The result was that Rondo averaged just 9.3 points on 43% shooting and 6.5 assists in 46 games. After butting heads with Carslie, Rondo was benched with a fake back injury and missed their first-round playoff series. He later left in free agency, leaving Dallas in a far worse position. Meanwhile, Boston later traded Wright for another first-round pick and Crowder in a deal for Kyrie Irving. They made out much better in the Rondo deal than the Mavericks did, safe to say.