Editing Dallas Mavericks (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of the Dallas Mavericks}}
{{See also|List of Dallas Mavericks seasons}}

===1978–1981: The creation and early years of the Mavericks===
In 1978, Californian businessman Garn Eckardt met [[Dallas]] lawyer Doug Adkins and mentioned he was trying to raise capital to move an NBA team to Dallas. Asking for a possible partner, Adkins recommended him one of his clients, [[Home Interiors and Gifts]] owner [[Don Carter (businessman)|Don Carter]]. Negotiations with Eckardt fell through, but Carter remained interested in the enterprise as a gift to his wife Linda, who played basketball while at [[Duncanville High School]]. Simultaneously, [[Buffalo Braves]] president and general manager Norm Sonju developed an interest in bringing the NBA to Dallas as he studied possible new locations for the ailing franchise. While the Braves went to California as the [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]], Sonju eventually returned to Texas. He was introduced to Carter by Mayor [[Robert Folsom]], one of the owners and team president of the last professional basketball team in the city, the Dallas Chaparrals of the [[American Basketball Association]], which moved to [[San Antonio]] in 1973 becoming the [[San Antonio Spurs]]. Sonju and Carter tried purchasing both the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] and the [[Kansas City Kings]], but disagreement on relocation stalled the negotiations, leading them to instead aim for an [[expansion team]].

The league was initially reluctant to expand to Dallas, given Texas had both the Spurs and [[Houston Rockets]]. The [[1978–79 NBA season|1978–79 season]] was proving unprofitable (18 out of the 22 teams lost money) and unpopular (television ratings fell 26 percent). Still, during the [[1979 NBA All-Star Game]] weekend, [[Commissioner of the NBA|NBA commissioner]] [[Larry O'Brien]] announced the league would add two new teams in the [[1980–81 NBA season|1980–81 season]], with teams in Dallas and [[Minneapolis]]. Once the potential Minnesota owners backed out, only Dallas remained. (The [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] would not join until 1989.) Through negotiations with general counselor and future commissioner [[David Stern]], the expansion fee was settled on $12.5&nbsp;million. Carter would provide half the amount.<ref>{{cite web |last=Townsend |first=Brad |title=Archive: A look back at the birth of the Dallas Mavericks |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20130501-archive-a-look-back-at-the-birth-of-the-dallas-mavericks.ece |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |date=May 1, 2005 |access-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124050/http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20130501-archive-a-look-back-at-the-birth-of-the-dallas-mavericks.ece |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20140130-david-stern-goes-way-back-with-mavericks-mark-cuban-praises-outgoing-commish-seriously.ece |title=David Stern goes way back with Mavericks; Mark Cuban praises outgoing commish (seriously) |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124059/http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20140130-david-stern-goes-way-back-with-mavericks-mark-cuban-praises-outgoing-commish-seriously.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[1980 NBA All-Star Game]], league owners voted to admit the new team, with the team's name coming from the 1957–1962 TV western [[Maverick (TV series)|''Maverick'']]; the fans chose the title with 4,600 postcards received, beating ''Wranglers'' and ''Express''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Behind The Name – Dallas Mavericks |url=http://www.nba.com/mavericks/history/behind_the_name_06.html |website=Mavs.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC |date=December 31, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226045338/http://www.nba.com/mavericks/history/behind_the_name_06.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |access-date=August 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Scott |title=The Origins of All 30 NBA Team Names |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/23115/origins-all-30-nba-team-names |work=[[Mental Floss]] |date=October 27, 2009 |access-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-date=August 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809134149/http://mentalfloss.com/article/23115/origins-all-30-nba-team-names |url-status=live}}</ref> [[James Garner]], who played the title character, was a member of the ownership group.<ref>{{cite web |last=Woodward |first=Danny |author-link=Danny Woodward |title=In Metroplex, a tale of two Mavericks |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=May 31, 2011 |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?sportCat=nba&page=woodward%2F110531_dallas_mavericks_nickname |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026175926/http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?sportCat=nba&page=woodward%2F110531_dallas_mavericks_nickname |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Texas-Arlington Mavericks|University of Texas at Arlington]], who also uses [[Texas–Arlington Mavericks|the Mavericks nickname]], had objections about a shared name but did not attempt any legal action.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=woodward%2F110531_dallas_mavericks_nickname |title=Not all Metroplex Mavericks fans are excited about Dallas Mavericks' success |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402200139/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=woodward%2F110531_dallas_mavericks_nickname |url-status=live}}</ref> They joined the Midwest Division of the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]], where they would stay until the league went to six divisions for the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]]. [[Dick Motta]], who had guided the [[Washington Bullets]] to the NBA Championship in [[1977–78 NBA season|1977–78]], was hired as the team's first [[head coach]].

The Mavs drafted [[Kiki VanDeWeghe]] of [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] with the 11th pick of the [[1980 NBA draft]]. Still, VanDeWeghe refused to play for the expansion Mavericks and staged a holdout that lasted a month into its inaugural season. VanDeWeghe was traded to the [[Denver Nuggets]], along with a first-round pick, in 1981, in exchange for two future first-round picks that eventually materialized into [[Rolando Blackman]] in [[1981 NBA draft|1981]], and [[Sam Vincent]] in [[1985 NBA draft|1985]].

[[File:Don Carter.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Mavs' founder [[Don Carter (businessman)|Don Carter]]]]
In the Mavericks debut game, taking place in the brand-new [[Reunion Arena]], the Mavericks defeated the Spurs, 103–92. But the Mavs started the season with a 6–40 record on their way to finishing 15–67. However, the Mavericks did make a player acquisition that, while it seemed minor at the time, turned out to play a significant role in the early years of their franchise. Journeyman 6&nbsp;ft 3 in guard [[Brad Davis (basketball)|Brad Davis]], who played for the [[Anchorage Northern Knights]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association]], was tracked down and signed by the Mavericks in December after a scout watched a game with Davis. He had to be convinced to play for the team rather than attend to his studies at the [[University of Maryland]] (which he was funding by playing for Anchorage).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavs-com-braddavis/ |title=Brad Davis had fairytale career with Mavs, ending with jersey retirement |date=May 4, 2020 |access-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531081802/https://www.mavs.com/mavs-com-braddavis/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He would play for the remainder of the season after joining in December. Davis would spend the next twelve years with the Mavericks, and eventually, his number 15 jersey was retired. The Mavericks also marked the first NBA team to have a good debut season, with 7,789 spectators per game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-10-sp-2289-story.html |title=In Texas, Winning Is the Name of the Game |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 10, 1986 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205026/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-08-10/sports/sp-2289_1_texas-football/2 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 1981 NBA Draft brought three players who would become vital parts of the team. The Mavs selected forward [[Mark Aguirre]] with the first pick, guard [[Rolando Blackman]] ninth, and forward [[Jay Vincent]] at 24th. By the end of his seven-year Mavericks career, Aguirre would average 24.6 points per game. Blackman contributed 19.2 points over his 11-year career in Dallas. But it was Jay Vincent who made the most significant difference for the Mavs in their second season, leading the team in scoring with 21.4 points per game and earning NBA All-Rookie Team honors. The Mavericks improved to 28–54, getting out of the Midwest Division cellar as they finished above the [[Utah Jazz]].

===1982–1990: Playoff contention===
In [[1982–83 NBA season|1982–83]], the Mavericks were serious contenders for the first time. At the [[1983 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star break]], they were 25–24 and had won 12 of their last 15 games. They could not sustain that momentum and finished seven games behind the Denver Nuggets for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. But the Mavs' 38–44 record was a 10-game improvement from the previous season.

Mark Aguirre led the 1982–83 Mavericks with 24.4 points per game, finishing sixth in the NBA. [[Jay Vincent]] and [[Rolando Blackman]] contributed 18.7 and 17.7 points per game, respectively. Brad Davis was 10th in the NBA in assists with 7.2 per game and shot .845 from the free-throw line, sixth in the league. The Mavs drafted [[Derek Harper]] with the 11th pick of the [[1983 NBA draft]]. The 6&nbsp;ft 4 in guard would spend the next decade with the organization, averaging 15 points and 6.1 assists. The Mavericks' in [[1983–84 NBA season|1983–84]] posted a winning record for the first time in franchise history, finishing 43–39 and second in the Midwest Division. The Mavs also earned the first playoff berth in franchise history. Mark Aguirre was named the team's first NBA All-Star, as he finished with an average of 29.5 points per game—second in the league to Utah's [[Adrian Dantley]].

Dallas finished with the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, and in their first playoff trip, they defeated the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] in five games. The fifth and deciding game of that series was played at [[Moody Coliseum]], as Reunion Arena, then the home court for the Mavericks was hosting a tennis tournament. The [[Magic Johnson]]-led [[1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]], were next for the Mavs, and the young club fell short, losing four games to one. But a trade the Mavericks made in their inaugural season of 1980 paid off for them in 1984 because they owned [[Cleveland Cavaliers|Cleveland]]'s first-round pick, which ended up being the fourth pick overall. The Mavs used it to select forward-center [[Sam Perkins]], a former [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina Tar Heel]], with a surprising range from the three-point line who would average 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds in six seasons with Dallas.

About this time, the [[Dallas Cowboys]], once one of the [[National Football League|NFL]]'s elite teams, began a slow decline that eventually saw them fall to 1–15 in [[1989 Dallas Cowboys season|1989]]. The Mavs were hitting their stride simultaneously and replaced the Cowboys as the Metroplex's most popular team. The [[1984–85 NBA season|1984–85]] team finished a game better than the previous year at 44–38. Mark Aguirre led the team in scoring again with 25.7 ppg, [[Sam Perkins]] made the All-Rookie team, and Rolando Blackman represented the Mavericks in the [[1985 NBA All-Star Game]]. The Mavs returned to the [[1985 NBA playoffs|playoffs]] in [[1984–85 NBA season|1985]] but were not as successful as they had been. They won Game 1 in double-overtime against the [[1984–85 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]] in their first-round playoff series, but lost the next three games in a row, ending their season.

Dallas had the eighth pick in the [[1985 NBA draft]]—again due to a trade with the Cavaliers—and drafted German-born forward [[Detlef Schrempf]] out of [[Washington Huskies men's basketball|Washington]]. He would show flashes of brilliance in his three-plus seasons with the team, but it was not until he was traded to the [[Indiana Pacers]] that he displayed his full potential. The Mavericks also traded center [[Kurt Nimphius]] to the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] for center [[James Donaldson (basketball)|James Donaldson]], who would play for the Mavericks until halfway through the [[1991–92 NBA season|1991–92 season]]. This trade allowed the Mavericks to have a steady hand at the center position lacking throughout the franchise's first five years. In 1988, James Donaldson became the first Dallas Mavericks center in club history to be selected to play in the [[1988 NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star Game]].

[[Rolando Blackman]] represented the Mavericks in the [[1986 NBA All-Star Game]], hosted by Dallas at Reunion Arena. The 1985–86 Mavericks were second in scoring at 115.3 points per game, gaining their third-straight playoff appearance. They defeated [[1985–86 Utah Jazz season|Utah]] three games to one in the first round. In the conference semi-finals, they ran into the [[1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] again, and L.A. defeated Dallas in six games. But four of those games were decided by four points or fewer, and Dallas won half of those, leaving Mavericks fans room to hope that they could finally top the Lakers in the following season. The Mavs drafted [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]] center [[Roy Tarpley]] with the seventh overall pick, who would become a very talented—but troubled—member of the roster.

The [[1986–87 NBA season|1986–87]] Mavericks team had their most successful regular season to date, going 55–27 and winning their first Midwest Division title. But despite the great expectations surrounding the team, they self-destructed in the playoffs. After hammering the [[1986–87 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]] by 22 points in Game 1, the bottom dropped out for the Mavs, as they lost Games 2 and 3 in close fashion before succumbing to Game 4 in [[Seattle]]. Following the unexpected early playoff exit, Motta, who had been with the team since its inception, shockingly resigned as head coach. [[John MacLeod (basketball)|John MacLeod]], who had led the [[Phoenix Suns]] to nine playoff berths in 11 seasons, including an NBA Finals run in 1976, was hired as his replacement.

The [[1987–88 NBA season]] saw the Mavericks dip just a little bit in the regular season—finishing 53–29 and losing their Midwest Division title to the [[Denver Nuggets]]—but it was another successful year for the team. [[Mark Aguirre]] and [[James Donaldson (basketball)|James Donaldson]] both played in the [[1988 NBA All-Star Game]], the Mavericks rattled off a franchise-best 11-game winning streak, and [[Rolando Blackman]] scored his 10,000th career point. Aguirre led the team in scoring for the sixth consecutive year with 25.1 points per game, and [[Roy Tarpley]] won the [[NBA Sixth Man Award]] with averages of 13.5 points and 11.8 rebounds. The season saw the Mavs' deepest playoff run to date. They dispatched the [[Houston Rockets]] in four games and the Nuggets in six, leaving only the defending NBA Champion [[1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] between them and their first-ever trip to the [[1988 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]. The Mavericks gave the Lakers everything they could handle. Still, in the end, the more experienced Lakers prevailed, defeating Dallas in seven games on the way to eventually winning their second consecutive NBA Championship.

Despite all the changes, the Mavs remained in contention. However, their season effectively ended when James Donaldson went down with a ruptured [[patella]] tendon on March 10, 1989, and missed the rest of the season. The Mavericks were left understaffed, demoralized, and disheartened as they finished with a 38–44 record. It was their first losing season since 1982–83—which was also the last time they missed the playoffs.

[[File:Lipofsky Mark Aguirre.jpg|right|thumb|180px|Mark Aguirre (pictured here with the Detroit Pistons) played with the Mavericks from 1981 to 1989.]]
The Mavericks returned to the [[1990 NBA playoffs|playoffs]] in [[1989–90 NBA season|1989–90]] with a 47–35 record, but it was another season of off-court chaos. On November 15, only six games into the Mavs' season, Tarpley was arrested for [[driving while intoxicated]] and resisting arrest. The team started 5–6, and MacLeod was fired, replaced by assistant coach [[Richie Adubato]]. The Mavs finished the season with four straight victories to surge into the playoffs but went down rather meekly to the [[1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]] in three games. It would be the team's last winning season and playoff appearance until 2001.

===1990–1998: Rebuilding===

====1990–1994: Free falling====
The team endured numerous changes in 1990, losing Sam Perkins to the Lakers via free agency and suffering injuries to practically their entire [[1990–91 NBA season|1990–91]] starting lineup. The players they managed to acquire—[[Rodney McCray (basketball)|Rodney McCray]], [[Fat Lever]], and [[Alex English]]—were all in the twilight of their careers. On November 9, it was announced that Fat Lever would have season-ending surgery on his right knee, and that very night, Tarpley suffered a knee injury of his own, which ended his season. The Mavericks' season only got worse from there, and they finished with a record of 28–54, falling behind even the second-year [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] and [[Orlando Magic]]. In March 1991, Tarpley was charged with suspicion of [[driving while intoxicated]] and was suspended again by the NBA.
 		
It got even worse in [[1991–92 NBA season|1991–92]]. Before the season even began, Tarpley violated the league's substance abuse policy for the third time and was banned from the NBA for life. The former Sixth Man Award winner's fall from grace was complete. The few talented players the Mavericks had remaining to them were lost to injury. Brad Davis' back problems forced him to retire in mid-January, and Fat Lever had knee surgery again on January 29, missing the remainder of the season—hardly worth the cost of losing two first-round draft picks. The team finished with a 22–60 record.

In [[1992–93 NBA season|1992–93]], the rebuilding began in earnest, with the Mavs trading [[Rolando Blackman]]—who by that point had surpassed Mark Aguirre as the team's all-time leading scorer—to the [[New York Knicks]] for a first-round draft pick. Blackman had made four All-Star Game appearances in his Mavericks career. [[Herb Williams]] joined the Knicks as a free agent. Fat Lever underwent more surgery and missed the entire 1992–93 season. Derek Harper was the team's only bright spot, leading the team with 18.3 points per game.

The Mavericks selected [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State]] guard [[Jim Jackson (basketball)|Jim Jackson]] with the fourth overall pick of the [[1992 NBA draft]], but he and owner Donald Carter could not come to terms on a contract for half of his rookie season. Jackson only played 28 games in [[1992–93 NBA season|1992–93]], a season also ruined by trades, a coaching change, and injuries. The Mavericks started 2–27 and fired Adubato on January 13, replacing him with [[Gar Heard]]. The Mavericks came dangerously close to setting the all-time worst record in NBA history (at the time, 9–73 by the [[1972–73 NBA season|1972–73]] [[1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]]). But when Jackson was signed on March 3, the Mavs rallied, closing the season with a 7–14 mark, including two straight wins to end the season and finishing 11–71, the second-worst record in NBA history.
 		
Dallas selected [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] forward [[Jamal Mashburn]] with the fourth overall pick of the [[1993 NBA draft]] and hired [[Quinn Buckner]] as head coach. Buckner decided from the start to be a disciplinarian on the model of his college coach, [[Bobby Knight]], who told Buckner that the only way he would succeed with the Mavs would be to run the team with an iron hand.<ref name=Buckner>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-05-04-9405040137-story.html |title=Mavericks show Buckner door |author1=Sam Smith |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=May 4, 1994 |access-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422195445/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-05-04-9405040137-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The mostly young roster did not respond very well to Buckner's stern coaching style and started 1–23. By the end of January, they were 3–40, and it was once again possible that they could tie the 1973 Sixers for the all-time worst record in the league. But 5–9 records in February and April, coupled with Buckner loosening the reins a little bit, helped the Mavs finish 13–69. It was still the worst record in the league by far, but the Mavericks again avoided setting an all-time futility record. However, they did tie the NBA's ''single-season'' record for consecutive losses at [[List of National Basketball Association longest losing streaks|20 games]] (since broken).
 		
Buckner was fired at the end of the season despite having a five-year contract. However, Carter decided that Buckner had "burned too many bridges" due to his autocratic coaching style.<ref name=Buckner/> He compiled the worst record for a rookie NBA head coach, a record that only lasted four years until [[Bill Hanzlik]] broke it with the [[Denver Nuggets]]. The Mavericks brought back Dick Motta, who had led the franchise to some of its most successful seasons. The Mavericks also wound up with the number two pick in the [[1994 NBA draft]] and picked up [[California Golden Bears men's basketball|Cal]] point guard [[Jason Kidd]], giving them a solid tandem of Jackson, Mashburn, and Kidd, known as "The Three Js."

====1994–1996: Arrival of Jason Kidd====
The addition of Jason Kidd infused the Mavericks with new life in [[1994–95 NBA season|1994–95]]. Kidd averaged 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in his rookie season and led the league in triple-doubles. [[Roy Tarpley]] was allowed to return to the league after three years and helped with 12.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. The tandem of Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn combined as the league's highest-scoring pair of teammates. On separate occasions, Mashburn and Jackson scored 50 points in a game that season. Mashburn contributed 24.1 points per game, fifth in the NBA; Jackson averaged 25.7 points but suffered a severe ankle sprain in February, which caused him to miss the regular season's remainder. Second-year forward [[Popeye Jones]] had a great year as well, as he averaged 10.6 rebounds and led the NBA in offensive rebounds.
 		
The Mavericks' improvement was dramatic. The team jumped to 36–46, 10th in the Western Conference, and only five games behind the [[1994–95 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] for the eighth and final playoff spot. It was the most significant one-year improvement in the team's history and the highest in the NBA. Many{{Who|date=December 2014}} expected the Mavericks' improvement to continue with the franchise's first foray into the NBA playoffs since 1990. But despite a 4–0 start, the [[1995–96 NBA season|1995–96 season]] was a disappointment about every conceivable way.{{According to whom|date=December 2014}} For the second time in his career, Roy Tarpley was given a lifelong ban from the NBA for repeated violations of the anti-drug policy—he never played in the NBA again. Jamal Mashburn had season-ending surgery to repair his sore right knee, only 18 games into the Mavericks' schedule.
 		
The team's two remaining stars, Jason Kidd and Jim Jackson bickered throughout the season, though neither of them had trouble establishing his stardom. Jackson led the team scoring with 19.6 ppg, made 121 three-pointers, and was the only Mav to start 82 games. Kidd became the first Maverick to be elected a starter in the NBA All-Star Game and finished second in the league in assists and fourth in steals while averaging 16.6 ppg. [[George McCloud]], who averaged 9.6 ppg in his previous year, blew away his career-high scoring average as the Mavs resorted to the outside shot time and again due to their lack of an inside scoring threat. McCloud averaged 18.9 ppg and made 257 three-pointers, equaling the second-highest individual season total in league history.

Overall, the Mavericks connected on 735 of their 2,039 three-point attempts, both new league records. The Mavs finished 26–56, fifth in the Midwest Division, and 33 games out of first place. Motta was relieved of his head coaching responsibilities at season's end and replaced by former Bulls assistant coach [[Jim Cleamons]]. And Don Carter, the only owner the Mavericks had ever had, sold the team to a group of investors led by [[H. Ross Perot, Jr.]]

====1996–1998: Arrival of Michael Finley====
[[File:Bradley, Shawn (2008) 2.jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[Shawn Bradley]] spent nine seasons with Dallas and ranks second all time in blocked shots.]] The [[1996–97 NBA season|1996–97 season]] was a year of transition for the Mavericks as they re-designed their entire team; 27 different players saw action for that Dallas team, setting an all-time NBA record. By the time the season was over only rookie forward, [[Samaki Walker]], had remained from the opening-day roster. The first big move came in December, as Jason Kidd, [[Loren Meyer]], and [[Tony Dumas]] were traded to the [[Phoenix Suns]] for guards [[Michael Finley]] and [[Sam Cassell]] and forward [[A.C. Green]]. Cassell would play just one season while Green played three, but Finley, who, after his first half-season in Dallas, went on to average over or near twenty points per game for at least the next seven years of his Mavericks career. He made two visits to the NBA All-Star Game and played in each of the Mavericks games until the 2004–05 season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/finlemi01.html |title=Michael Finley Stats |access-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014090640/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/finlemi01.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
 		
[[Don Nelson]] was hired as Dallas' general manager on February 7. Within a week of his hiring, the Mavericks had released [[Fred Roberts]] and [[Oliver Miller]]. They then traded Jamal Mashburn to the [[Miami Heat]] for forwards [[Kurt Thomas (basketball)|Kurt Thomas]] and [[Martin Müürsepp]] and guard [[Predrag Danilović|Sasha Danilović]]. Thomas did not play in 1996–97 and only ended up playing in five games as a Maverick before signing as a free agent with the [[New York Knicks]]. Danilović played in 13 games for the Mavericks before opting out of his contract and signing with [[Virtus Bologna|Bucker Bologna]]. Müürsepp played in 73 games for the Mavericks over the next two years before leaving the NBA.
 		
[[Chris Gatling]] was the Mavericks' sole representative in the NBA All-Star Game, but he did not last much longer in Dallas. In one of the most massive two-team trades in NBA history, the Mavericks traded Gatling, Jim Jackson, Sam Cassell, George McCloud, and [[Eric Montross]] to the [[New Jersey Nets]] for 7&nbsp;ft 6 in center [[Shawn Bradley]], forward [[Ed O'Bannon]], and guards [[Khalid Reeves]] and [[Robert Pack (basketball)|Robert Pack]]. Nelson claimed the trades were necessary because the situation in the locker room was unacceptable. However, whereas Cassell became a consistent floor leader, and Jackson, Gatling and, McCloud all continued to be substantial contributors to their teams for several more years, only Bradley lasted any time in Dallas. He would spend part of the next eight years putting up modest contributions for Dallas and giving them substantial numbers in blocked shots.

Undrafted rookie guard [[Erick Strickland]] averaged 10.6 ppg. Along with Finley and Bradley, he was expected to be the core of this new Mavericks team. The constant changes made it impossible to establish any team chemistry in 1996–97, and the Mavericks finished 24–58. But they had acquired some of the pieces that would help them start to turn things around in years to come. In 1997–98, despite a poor record of 20–62, Dallas had a knack for giving some of the NBA's elite teams a hard time to beat the [[Seattle SuperSonics]], [[New York Knicks]], [[Indiana Pacers]], and [[Chicago Bulls]]. Against the Bulls, Dallas went on a 17–2 run to force overtime, where they won 104–97. Midway through that season, Nelson fired Cleamons and named himself head coach.

===1998–2019: The Dirk Nowitzki era===

====1998–2001: New beginnings with Nowitzki & Nash====
[[File:Dirk Nowitzki 2.jpg|upright|thumb|Dirk Nowitzki was acquired by the Mavericks from the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998 and would become the face of the franchise in later years.]]
In the [[1998–99 NBA lockout|lockout-shortened]] [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99 season]], the Mavericks finished with a lowly 19–31 record, but Michael Finley and [[Gary Trent]] put up substantial numbers and led their team to their first winning home record (15–10) since 1989–90. Notable were the acquisitions of power forward [[Dirk Nowitzki]] and point guard [[Steve Nash]], two seemingly unspectacular moves that would significantly impact the future. In the [[1999–2000 NBA season|following season]], the [[1999–2000 Dallas Mavericks season|team]] finally "clicked" and started to win consistently. Led by Finley, the Mavericks earned their first 40-win season since 1989–90. He was much helped by Nowitzki, who finally "arrived" in the NBA and established himself as a potent offensive threat.

On January 14, 2000, Ross Perot's group sold the Dallas Mavericks to Internet entrepreneur and season ticket-holder [[Mark Cuban]] for $285&nbsp;million. Cuban immediately set out to revitalize the Mavericks and increase the team's popularity in Dallas and nationwide. His controversial moves (he allowed [[Dennis Rodman]] to live in his house for a week before temporarily signing him) and outspoken personality quickly made him a fan favorite in Dallas. They garnered the team much press in the national media. He has also been fined millions of dollars for violating NBA rules.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/10315836/mark-cuban-wish-granted-one-last-fine-david-stern-retires |title=Mark Cuban's wish granted with one last fine before David Stern retires |date=January 19, 2014 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427224437/http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/10315836/mark-cuban-wish-granted-one-last-fine-david-stern-retires |url-status=live}}</ref>
 		
In [[2000–01 NBA season|2000–01]], the Mavericks improved further and finished with a 53–29 record fueled by Nowitzki, Finley, and Nash's offensive triangle. The Mavs made a trade minutes before the trade deadline that sent [[Hubert Davis]], [[Christian Laettner]], [[Courtney Alexander]], [[Loy Vaught]], and [[Etan Thomas]] to the [[Washington Wizards]] for [[Juwan Howard]], [[Calvin Booth]], and [[Obinna Ekezie]]. This move brought in fresh blood that secured the club's first playoff visit in 11 years. Also, [[Wang Zhizhi]] became the first Chinese player to play in the NBA, signing with the Mavs in January, along with Eduardo Nájera, bringing Dallas an international cast that included Canada's Nash and Germany's Nowitzki. Nowitzki was named to the All NBA Third Team, becoming the first Maverick receive an All NBA honor. In the [[2001 NBA playoffs|playoffs]], the Mavericks won in the first round against the [[Utah Jazz]]. They advanced to the second round for the first time since 1988. Even though the San Antonio Spurs eliminated them in five games, it marked a sense of optimism for Dallas in earnestly contending for an NBA title. This season was also the last in the old [[Reunion Arena]] before moving to the modern [[American Airlines Center]].

====2001–2005: Run-and-gun Nellie ball====
[[File:Victory Plaza 1.jpg|thumb|upright|Mavericks began playing at [[American Airlines Center]] in 2001.]]
The [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02 season]] was an excellent season for the Mavericks, with a 57–25 record and many sellout crowds. This season also saw a change in logo and colors, changing from the cowboy hat logo and green to a new horse logo and blue, almost on the same colors of fellow Dallas-based team, the [[Dallas Cowboys|Cowboys]]. Also, the team gained sleeker uniforms. Another blockbuster trade sent [[Juwan Howard]], [[Tim Hardaway]], and [[Donnell Harvey]] to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for [[Raef LaFrentz]], [[Nick Van Exel]], [[Tariq Abdul-Wahad]], and [[Avery Johnson]]. The Mavericks also made several attempts to sign the [[Utah Jazz]]'s star [[Karl Malone]]. The Mavericks swept the [[Kevin Garnett]]-led [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in the [[2002 NBA playoffs|2002 playoffs]] but lost again in the second round to the [[Chris Webber]]-led [[2001–02 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento Kings]].

But it was only in the next season that the Mavericks finally broke through. The team started the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03 season]] with a 14–0 record, which was one win shy of tying the NBA record set by the [[1993–94 NBA season|1993–94]] [[1993–94 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]] (15–0). The Mavericks finished with a 60–22 record in the regular season, impressing fans and critics with their sparkling offense. Since acquiring the "Big Three" of Nowitzki, Finley, and Nash, the Mavericks were a Western Conference power in waiting.<ref>{{cite news |title=Worst to First |url=http://www.nba.com/features/mavericks_timeline_030408.html |publisher=National Basketball Association |date=April 9, 2003 |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618031126/http://www.nba.com/features/mavericks_timeline_030408.html |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Finally, they led the team to the conference finals against the [[San Antonio Spurs]]. However, with the series tied 1–1, Dirk Nowitzki, the team's leading scorer, suffered a knee injury in game three that kept him out. This injury further worsened the Mavs' front-court depth problems (both of their backup centers were injured for the entire series), and the Spurs took the series in 6 games.

In [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04]], two blockbuster trades were announced. The Mavericks acquired [[Antawn Jamison]], [[Danny Fortson]], [[Jiří Welsch]], and [[Chris Mills (basketball)|Chris Mills]] from [[Golden State Warriors|Golden State]] in exchange for Nick Van Exel, [[Evan Eschmeyer]], Popeye Jones, [[Avery Johnson]], and [[Antoine Rigaudeau]]. Another high-profile trade sent Raef LaFrentz, Chris Mills, and Jiří Welsch to Boston for [[Antoine Walker]] and [[Tony Delk]]. Although the team struggled with chemistry, the Mavericks comfortably qualified for the playoffs. With the trio Nowitzki-Finley-Nash and [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year]] Jamison, the Mavericks continued their reputation as the NBA's best offensive team. Notable were two rookies, [[Josh Howard]] and [[Marquis Daniels]], who made an immediate impact. However, the Mavericks were eliminated quickly in the [[2004 NBA playoffs|2004 playoffs]], losing in the first round to the [[Chris Webber]]-led [[Sacramento Kings]], a better defensive team. The Mavericks management had to re-evaluate their strategy.

The [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]] saw trades which (among others) brought in robust center [[Erick Dampier]], combo guard [[Jason Terry]], speedy rookie point guard [[Devin Harris]], scoring machine [[Jerry Stackhouse]], and defensive stalwart [[Alan Henderson]]. Although the loss of All-Star Steve Nash via free agency visibly hurt the Mavericks' offense, the new acquisitions strengthened the team defense. The run-and-gun style of former times changed into a more balanced style of play. At the All-Star break, the Mavericks acquired [[Keith Van Horn]] for Calvin Booth and Henderson, the latter resigning only days later. Nowitzki added his third consecutive Euroscar during this season as well. On March 19, longtime coach Don Nelson stepped down, and his assistant Avery Johnson succeeded him. Under Johnson's tutelage, the Mavericks' defense became more vigorous, and they quickly qualified for the [[2005 NBA playoffs|2005 playoffs]] with an impressive 58–24 record. The Mavericks defeated the [[Houston Rockets]] in Round 1 of the playoffs in 7 games but then lost to the [[Phoenix Suns]] 4–2, led by former Maverick star [[Steve Nash]].

====2005–2006: First finals appearance====
{{Main|2005–06 Dallas Mavericks season}}
Before the [[2005 NBA draft]], the Mavericks had traded all their picks away and were left empty-handed. On August 15, 2005, veteran guard Michael Finley was waived under the new "Allan Houston Rule."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dallasbasketball.com/morestories.asp?id=3286&NAV=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920153034/http://www.dallasbasketball.com/morestories.asp?id=3286&NAV=1 |url-status=dead |title=Dallas Mavericks NBA Basketball |archive-date=September 20, 2014 |website=DallasBasketball.com}}</ref> Under that rule, the [[Orlando Magic]] waived [[Doug Christie]], who then signed with the Mavericks. On August 19, the Mavericks held a press conference announcing they had re-signed [[Darrell Armstrong]] and introduced Christie, [[DeSagana Diop]], [[Rawle Marshall]], and [[Josh Powell]] as new Mavericks. Christie's playing time was minimal amid a surgically repaired ankle still hampering his play. He was waived on November 25, 2005. At the end of calendar 2005, Nowitzki achieved a rare double by winning both the Euroscar and [[Mr. Europa]], a second prestigious award for the top European player. He additionally was named the inaugural [[FIBA Europe Player of the Year]].

Up until the very end of the season, the Mavericks were toe-to-toe with the [[San Antonio Spurs]] for the crown of the Southwest Division and the #1 spot in the Western Conference. However, they fell short of the title and had to settle for a fourth seed. Nonetheless, they once again achieved a 60–22 record, with [[Avery Johnson]] winning [[NBA Coach of the Year]] honors. They swept the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] in the [[2006 NBA playoffs|2006 playoffs]], leading to a titanic series against their state rivals and the reigning NBA champions the San Antonio Spurs. Five out of the seven games were decided in the last minute, including a Game 7 that had to go into overtime, with the Mavs prevailing under the guidance of [[Dirk Nowitzki]] and an incredibly deep bench. The Mavericks were able to advance to the conference finals against former teammate [[Steve Nash]] and the [[Phoenix Suns]]. The Mavs' defense and depth enabled them to take the series as they defeated the [[Phoenix Suns]] in game 6 of the Western Conference finals on June 3, 2006, in the [[US Airways Center]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], and the Mavs advanced to their first NBA Finals in franchise history.

{{Main|2006 NBA Finals}}
In the NBA Finals, the Mavericks faced the [[2005–06 Miami Heat season|Miami Heat]], held the home-court advantage, and scored two convincing wins. After game 2, Dallas city officials had already planned the victory parade. However, in Game 3, the Mavs blew a late double-digit lead, courtesy of Heat guard [[Dwyane Wade]]. He carried the Heat to the win, with Nowitzki missing a potentially game-tying free throw in the last seconds. After getting blown out in Game 4, the Mavericks suffered another loss in Game 5 when Wade scored the game-tying basket in the final possession of regular time, putting the Heat ahead with last-second free throws in overtime. The [[tragic flaw|tragic figure]] was [[Josh Howard]], who missed a pair of clutch free throws in overtime and mistakenly called an early timeout, so the Mavs had to bring in the ball at backcourt rather than half-court for the last possession. In Game 6, the Mavericks took an early double-digit lead, but again, Wade poured in 36 points, helped by [[Alonzo Mourning]]'s five blocked shots, and the Mavericks lost their fourth game and the title after a string of botched three-pointers. Many Mavericks fans were stunned by the defeat. Mavericks owner [[Mark Cuban]] was fined a total of $250,000 for "several acts of misconduct" during the series, and Nowitzki was fined $5,000 for kicking a ball into the stands after Game 5. Nowitzki was also caught by TV cameras attacking a stationary bicycle in the hallway outside of the Mavericks locker room. [[Jerry Stackhouse]] was suspended for Game 5 after fouling [[Shaquille O'Neal]] on a breakaway dunk attempt. The latter marked the third time a Mavericks player was suspended in the 2006 playoffs.

The Mavericks became only the third team in NBA history (the first since 1977) to lose in the finals after taking a 2–0 lead. In Game 3, the Mavs held a 13-point lead under seven minutes remaining but were outscored 22–7 in the momentum-changing 98–96 defeat. The Heat's performance in the last seven minutes represented the team's most remarkable postseason comeback in team history.<ref>{{cite web |last=Friedman |first=Brad |title=NBA.com: A Total Turnaround |url=http://www.nba.com/finals2006/heat_060620.html |publisher=National Basketball Association |date=June 20, 2006 |access-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017120059/http://www.nba.com/finals2006/heat_060620.html |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2006–2007: Nowitzki wins MVP====
After an end to their playoff run in 2006, the Mavericks sought retribution in the new season. After a 0–4 start, the Mavericks went on a historic run and posted a 52–5 record over their next 57 games. They finished the [[2006–07 NBA season|regular season]] with a record of 67–15, good enough to be tied for sixth place all-time, first in the league, and the number 1 seed in the [[2007 NBA playoffs|Western Conference playoffs]]. [[Dirk Nowitzki]] had a dominant season, further cementing his place as one of the game's elite players; he won his fifth consecutive Euroscar during the season and was named the NBA MVP at its end. [[Josh Howard]] was named to the all-star team.

However, the first-place Mavericks were defeated in six games by the eighth-seeded [[2006–07 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]]. This outcome is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in NBA history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2007/news/billrussell_postseason.html#070501 |title=NBA.com: NBA.com Blog: Bill Russell |publisher=[[National Basketball Association]] |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111103422/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2007/news/billrussell_postseason.html#070501 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Mavs were exposed defensively, and the Warriors systematically dismantled the Mavericks by exploiting match-ups and preying on Dirk Nowitzki's weaknesses. The Mavericks went 67–12 against the rest of the league and 0–3 against Golden State on the year. The Warriors were coached by [[Don Nelson]], the immediate past manager and coach of the Mavericks. He had been appointed head coach of the Warriors in the 2006–07 mid-season.

Nowitzki's winning of regular season MVP honors and his team's first-round exit created an awkward dilemma regarding the MVP trophy ceremony. Traditionally, MVP awards are given to the winner in a ceremony between the first and second rounds of the playoffs. It is believed<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2866994 |title=Mavs' Nowitzki will receive MVP trophy next week |date=May 11, 2007 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001015233/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2866994 |url-status=live}}</ref> that the league opted to put some distance between the MVP presentation and the Mavericks' elimination against the Warriors. By the time Nowitzki collected his MVP award, nearly two weeks had elapsed since the Mavs were ousted.

====2007–2008: The return of Jason Kidd====
{{Main|2007–08 Dallas Mavericks season}}
[[File: Jason Kidd drives Feb 24 2008.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Kidd drives to the basket during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.]]
The Mavericks dealt [[Devin Harris]], two first-round picks, and others to the [[New Jersey Nets]] for veteran all-star [[Jason Kidd]] and other role players; Cuban also tried to acquire [[Kevin Garnett]] without success. The Mavericks were 3–11 against winning teams since the trade and lost Nowitzki for a little over a week due to a high ankle sprain injury. He returned April 2 in a crucial game against the [[2008–09 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] in a 111–86 Mavericks victory and helped defeat the [[2008–09 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]] in a 105–98 win on April 6. Dallas' win in Phoenix was especially significant because the Mavs had been nearly unable to defeat a contending team on the road the entire season. Continuing their playoff push, Dirk hit a crucial three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left, beating the [[2008–09 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]] 97–94 on April 10. This victory guaranteed them a playoff spot and their eighth consecutive 50-win season. The Mavericks ended the season with a record of 51–31. In the first round of the playoffs, the Mavericks were eliminated by the New Orleans Hornets 4–1 on the road, 99–94.

Just one day after a disappointing season ended, Avery Johnson was dismissed as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. On May 9, 2008, [[Rick Carlisle]] was hired as the head coach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/050308dnspomavs.c4fc389e.html |title=Dallas Mavericks, Carlisle seem to like potential match – Dallas Mavericks News – Sports News – Dallas Morning News |access-date=May 5, 2013 |archive-date=October 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028172607/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/050308dnspomavs.c4fc389e.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/050808dnspomavslede.da0f12fa.html |title=Deal with Dallas Mavericks, Carlisle could come today – WFAA.com – Sports: Basketball: Mavericks |access-date=May 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108022515/http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/050808dnspomavslede.da0f12fa.html |archive-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3389463 |title=Mavs give Carlisle a four-year deal as coach |date=May 10, 2008 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023024057/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3389463 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mavs sign Carlisle">{{Cite web |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jl2w-wzycOVHOI8JdZ8VAB4dLbVw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514114056/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jl2w-wzycOVHOI8JdZ8VAB4dLbVw |url-status=dead |title=Mavericks reach four-year coaching deal with Carlisle |archive-date=May 14, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=MAVERICKS: Official release: Rick Carlisle named coach |url=http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/Carlisle_signs051008.html |website=Mavs.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC |date=May 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514120414/http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/Carlisle_signs051008.html |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |access-date=August 16, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2008–2010: Falls in the playoffs====
{{Main|2008–09 Dallas Mavericks season|2009–10 Dallas Mavericks season}}
After getting off to 2–7 start, the Mavericks eventually found themselves with the sixth spot in the Western Conference playoff bracket for [[2008–09 NBA season|2009]] after going 50–32 (ninth consecutive 50+-win season). About three to four weeks earlier, they were not even sure if they would make the eighth and final spot. But a run of 5–1 in their last six regular season games got them to a game over the Hornets for sixth place. [[Dirk Nowitzki]] also entered the postseason with a streak of twenty-five consecutive games of scoring 20 or more points, which was ended in the first game of the quarterfinals series versus the arch-rival, [[2008–09 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]].

The Mavericks surprised many people by winning Game 1, 106–97 in San Antonio.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290418024 |title=Howard leads way as Mavs grab first playoff road win since '06 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=April 19, 2009 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322164720/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290418024 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Spurs quickly won game two in a rout. As the series shifted to Dallas, who had only lost one game there after the All-Star Break, won both Games 3 and 4. San Antonio was trying to win Game 5 to extend the series, but they could not do it as the Mavericks closed out the series with a 13-point-victory, 106–93. With the Victory, the Mavericks advanced to the Conference semi-finals for the first time since 2006.

They faced the two-seeded [[2008–09 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] in the semi-finals, who were fresh off a 4–1 series win against the [[2008–09 New Orleans Hornets season|New Orleans Hornets]], including a 58-point win in New Orleans. The Mavericks stayed close with the Nuggets in the first three-quarters of Games 1 and 2, but it was the fourth quarter when [[Carmelo Anthony]] and the Nuggets woke up, as they took the first two games by double-digit figures. Game 3 in Dallas was close the whole way, and Dallas led by five points with less than a minute to go. But Carmelo Anthony hit a three-pointer to give the Nuggets a 106–105 victory. The play generated quite a bit of controversy because Maverick guard Antoine Wright fouled Anthony, but since there was no replay used in the NBA in 2009, the Mavericks suffered a Game 3 loss. The league later announced that the referees made the wrong call,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4155285 |title=NBA admits referees' error cost the Dallas Mavericks in the final seconds |date=May 10, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=February 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213033734/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4155285 |url-status=live}}</ref> but despite that, the Mavericks still faced a 3–0 deficit in the series.

Nowitzki's 44 points in Game 4 saved the Mavericks season, sending the series back to Denver for a Game 5, with the series in Denver's favor, 3–1. Game 5 would prove to be the final game for the Mavericks of the 2009 season, as a score of 124–110 would oust them. The elimination led to an off-season facing many questions about the future construction of the team.

After a disappointing loss to the Nuggets in the playoffs, the Mavericks entered the off-season with many questions about the team's future construction. They began by re-signing [[Jason Kidd]] to a three-year contract extension, which took care of their pending point guard issue. The Mavericks also made a transaction to compound their age problem by trading for All-Star small forward [[Shawn Marion]]. In a three-team deal with the Grizzlies and Raptors, the Mavericks sent swingman Antoine Wright and defensive stalwart Devean George to Toronto, while aging guard Jerry Stackhouse landed in Memphis. Dallas also acquired athletic center [[Nathan Jawai]] and power forward [[Kris Humphries]]. Many analysts viewed this as a beneficial trade for the Mavericks, given that it countered their age issues while also providing them with more depth on the bench.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kelly |last=Dwyer |title=What grabbing Shawn Marion means to Dallas |work=Ball Don't Lie |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |date=July 7, 2009 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/What-grabbing-Shawn-Marion-means-to-Dallas?urn=nba,175211 |access-date=January 15, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034349/https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/What-grabbing-Shawn-Marion-means-to-Dallas?urn=nba,175211 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mavericks also added veteran forwards [[Tim Thomas (basketball)|Tim Thomas]], [[Drew Gooden]], and [[Quinton Ross]].

[[File:Jason Terry.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Jason Terry spent eight years with the Mavericks, playing in the teams' first two NBA Finals appearances.]]
These moves proved successful because after dropping the season opener to the [[2009–10 Washington Wizards season|Wizards]], the Mavericks beat many contenders such as the [[2009–10 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]], [[2009–10 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]], [[2009–10 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]], and the [[2009–10 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]].

A day before the trade deadline, the Mavericks instigated a deal. The trade sent [[Josh Howard]], [[James Singleton (basketball)|James Singleton]], and Drew Gooden to the Washington Wizards in exchange for [[Caron Butler]], [[Brendan Haywood]], and [[Deshawn Stevenson]]. The Mavericks felt that this trade was necessary due to Howard's declining performance and apparent unhappiness with the Mavericks organization. Some NBA analysts thought that this was a good move, because not only did it remove a disgruntled Howard from the line-up, it simultaneously brought Dirk Nowitzki a quality supporting cast. Many believed that the Mavs could contend for a title after the trade went through.<ref>{{cite web |first=Marc |last=Stein |title=Butler to Mavs, Wiz get Howard |publisher=ESPN |date=February 14, 2010 |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=4912262 |access-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915084129/http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=4912262 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Christopher |last=Reina |title=Grading The Deal: Mavs Become Title Contenders With Butler, Haywood |website=RealGM Basketball |date=February 13, 2010 |url=http://basketball.realgm.com/article/209154/Grading-The-Deal-Mavs-Become-Title-Contenders-With-Butler-Haywood |access-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070257/http://basketball.realgm.com/article/209154/Grading-The-Deal-Mavs-Become-Title-Contenders-With-Butler-Haywood |url-status=live}}</ref> The trade worked because the new-look Mavericks came out of the all-star break with a vengeance. On January 24, 2010, the Dallas Mavericks routed The New York Knicks 128–78. This win was the third-largest margin of victory in NBA history. The previous largest margin of victory for the Mavericks was 45 points. After dropping the second-half opener to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Mavericks went on to win 13-straight games before losing to the New York Knicks. On April 10, the Mavericks clinched the Southwest division after defeating the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] 83–77. The Mavericks finished the season with a 55–27 record, good enough for the Western Conference's second seed. The Mavericks then entered the postseason with quite a bit of optimism and an assurance that they could earnestly contend for a title.

During the playoffs, though, this optimism proved to be short-lived. After winning game one 100–94, behind Nowitzki's 36-point performance, the Mavericks dropped the next three games to their in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, before winning game five. Dallas would eventually lose against San Antonio in six games 97–87, leading to yet another off-season full of speculation, mostly centering on franchise player Dirk Nowitzki's pending free agent status.

====2010–2011: Championship season====
{{see also|2011 NBA Finals}}
[[File:Mark Cuban at the Championship parade.jpg|thumb|right|Mavericks owner [[Mark Cuban]] holding the [[Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy]] during the championship parade]]
After yet another first-round exit, the Mavericks began an unexpectedly early off-season. The first order of business for [[Mark Cuban]] and the Mavericks<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2011.html |title=2010–11 Dallas Mavericks Roster and Stats |work=basketball-reference.com |access-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323233719/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2011.html |url-status=live}}</ref> was to re-sign [[Dirk Nowitzki]], and they did so on July 4, 2010, when the Mavericks and Nowitzki agreed to a four-year deal worth $80 million. On July 13, the Mavericks, after losing the opportunity to sign [[LeBron James]], [[Dwyane Wade]], or [[Amar'e Stoudemire]], acquired centers [[Tyson Chandler]] and [[Alexis Ajinça]] from the [[Charlotte Bobcats]] for center [[Erick Dampier]], forward [[Eduardo Nájera]], and guard [[Matt Carroll (basketball)|Matt Carroll]]. ''[[USA Today]]'' called this trade one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history, saying Chandler "was the perfect fit during his first season with the Mavericks, anchoring their defense on the way to the franchise's first championship."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/02/16/most-one-sided-trades-nba-history-kobe-bryant-vlade-divac/80398520/ |title=The most lopsided trades in NBA history |website=USA Today |last=Neuharth-Keusch |first=AJ |date=February 17, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224403/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/02/16/most-one-sided-trades-nba-history-kobe-bryant-vlade-divac/80398520/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2010–11 campaign saw the Mavericks fly out of the gate, winning 24 out of their first 29 games. However, on December 27, Dirk Nowitzki sustained a knee injury that derailed the Mavericks' momentum. The team's second-leading scorer [[Caron Butler]] suffered a season-ending knee injury himself only four nights later. The Mavericks then went on to drop seven of their next nine games, causing serious concern as to who would lead the offense in Nowitzki's absence. However, this injury would prove to only be a temporary setback because Nowitzki only missed nine games and admittedly rushed back to assist the Mavericks' reeling offense. Consequently, they quickly returned to their winning ways. The Mavericks re-invented their defensive reputation around the league during the 2010–11 campaign, mostly in part to off-season acquisition Tyson Chandler (who was later named to the All-Defensive Second Team).<ref>{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=Caplan |title=Dirk: Chandler helps Mavs D |work=ESPN Dallas |date=December 20, 2010 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=5939497 |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217032843/http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=5939497 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mavericks battled the San Antonio Spurs all season long for the division title, but instead settled for the third seed, with a 57–25 record. The Mavericks had a lousy reputation of struggling during the playoffs; many predicted them to be eliminated in the first round against the six-seeded [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Expert Picks", 2011 NBA Playoffs – First Round – Trailblazers vs. Mavericks |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2011/matchup/_/teams/trailblazers-mavericks |access-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-date=June 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613152417/http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/matchup/_/teams/trailblazers-mavericks |url-status=live}}</ref> Yahoo! Sports analyst [[Adrian Wojnarowski]] even went so far as to predict a sweep for the Trail Blazers.

The Mavs won Games 1 and 2 on their home floor in convincing fashion. However, upon their arrival at the Rose Garden in Portland, problems began to arise. After dropping game three to Portland, the Mavericks blew a 23-point fourth-quarter lead in game four to allow Portland to tie the series at two games apiece. The whispers then began to re-surface that the Mavericks would let another impressive regular season go down the drain.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Quick |title=Trail Blazers-Mavericks: Game 5 will reveal psychological impact of dramatic Portland comeback |work=Oregon Live |date=April 24, 2011 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/04/trail_blazers-mavericks_game_5.html |access-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115500/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/04/trail_blazers-mavericks_game_5.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mavericks then responded, posting back-to-back wins to oust the Blazers in six games. They then met the two-time defending champion [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the Western Conference Semi-finals. This series would be the first and only time that [[Kobe Bryant]] met Dirk Nowitzki in a playoff series and was expected to be extremely competitive; however, it did not prove the case. The Mavericks shocked the NBA world by winning the first two games in Los Angeles, heading back to Dallas. They then won a thrilling game three in Dallas, courtesy of 32 points from Nowitzki in a 98–92 victory. The Mavericks then provided the perfect "exclamation point"<ref>{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Dougherty |title=Lakers Vs. Mavericks Game 4 Decisively Ends L.A. Dynasty |work=Yahoo! Voices |date=May 9, 2011 |url=http://voices.yahoo.com/lakers-vs-mavericks-game-4-decisively-ends-la-dynasty-8442789.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616025651/http://voices.yahoo.com/lakers-vs-mavericks-game-4-decisively-ends-la-dynasty-8442789.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2013}}</ref> crushing the Lakers in Game 4 by a final score of 122–86. In that game, Jason Terry set an NBA playoff record with nine three-pointers with just one miss, ousting the Lakers in a four-game sweep. The Mavericks then met the upstart [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in the Western Conference finals. Dirk Nowitzki set the tone in the series in game one with a 48-point performance, with the Mavericks taking Game 1 by a score of 121–112. The Thunder then responded with 106–100 victory in Game 2. The Mavericks then won the next three games, including a 15-point comeback in Game 4, to take the five-game series. The Mavericks claimed their second Western Conference Championship in franchise history and met the team that defeated them in the 2006 NBA Finals, the [[Miami Heat]].

The Mavericks entered the 2011 NBA Finals as underdogs, due to Miami's [[Big Three (Miami Heat)|Big Three]] coming together at the start of the season. After dropping Game 1 in Miami by a score of 92–84, the Mavs needed more than just Nowitzki to score, with Nowitzki even calling out teammate Jason Terry earlier in the playoffs. In the fourth quarter of Game 2, with the Mavericks trailing 88–73, Dallas was desperate to avoid a 0–2 heading back home. Dallas then staged a comeback, going on a 22–5 run to end the game, stunned the Heat with a game two victory, and evened the series at one game apiece. After the series shifted back to Dallas, the Mavericks lost in Game 3, with Nowitzki narrowly missing the potential game-tying shot, by a final score of 88–86. Dallas yet again showed their resiliency, winning a pivotal Game 4 with Nowitzki hitting multiple big shots down the stretch to tie the series at two. Game 5 was a bit of an offensive showcase, with both teams breaking 100 points for the first time in the series. Jason Kidd and Jason Terry both hit huge shots down the stretch, and the Mavericks defeated the Heat 112–103, putting them one game from their first-ever NBA title. Three nights later, the Mavericks captured their first-ever NBA title with a 105–95 victory, completely reversing what had happened in the 2006 NBA Finals. Nowitzki scored 21, including 18 in the second half, and Terry provided 27 points off the Dallas bench. Nowitzki was so emotional after the game that he headed to the locker room before the game had concluded, and had to be coaxed back onto the floor for the NBA Championship trophy presentation. Nowitzki took home the NBA Finals MVP honors after averaging 26 points a game during the series, shedding the Mavericks label as "soft" and putting an end to the Mavericks' postseason futility.

====2011–2013: Post-championship struggles and later absence from playoffs====
The 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games due to a [[2011 NBA lockout|lockout]], which meant the Mavericks had to wait until [[National Basketball Association Christmas games|Christmas Day]] to raise their first championship banner. During the brief off-season, owner Mark Cuban decided to maintain financial flexibility by letting Tyson Chandler, DeShawn Stevenson, J.J. Barea, and Caron Butler go. Chandler signed with the [[New York Knicks]], Stevenson joined the [[New Jersey Nets]], Barea went to the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]], and Butler joined the [[Los Angeles Clippers]]. Meanwhile, they acquired incumbent [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year|Sixth Man of the Year]] [[Lamar Odom]] via a trade with the Lakers, while signing veterans [[Vince Carter]] and [[Delonte West]].

The Mavericks raised their championship banner before their Finals rematch with the Heat on Christmas Day. Still, in what would soon become a mirror image of the [[2006–07 Miami Heat season|2006–07 Heat]]'s eventual failed title defense, Miami blew them out in a 105–94 loss, marking Dallas's first regular season loss to Miami in eight seasons. Things did not get better for Dallas after starting the season 0–3, losing to the Thunder in a playoff rematch on December 29. As the calendar turned to 2012, the Mavericks won 14 of 18 games in January, but they posted a 22–22 record the rest of the way, eventually finishing seventh with a 36–30 record, their lowest finish since the 2007–08 season. Nowitzki produced 21.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 45.7% shooting, his most insufficient numbers since the 2000–01 season. Meanwhile, Odom, who proved to be a bad fit for the Mavericks, was deactivated for the final two months of the season.

In a rematch from the previous year, the Mavericks faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the [[2012 NBA playoffs]]. Games 1 and 2 went down to the wire, but the Mavericks fell short on both occasions as Kevin Durant made a game-winning jumper in Game 1, and late-game free throws in Game 2. Back in Dallas for Game 3, the Mavericks suffered a 95–79 defeat to fall behind 0–3. In Game 4, the Mavericks led for much of the second half, but [[James Harden]]'s 15-point fourth-quarter rallied the Thunder to a 103–97 win to eliminate the defending champions. It marked the first time Dallas was swept in a seven-game series. They became the third defending champion to be swept in the first round after the aforementioned 2006–07 Heat and the [[1956–57 Philadelphia Warriors season|1956–57 Philadelphia Warriors]].

During the 2012 off-season, the Mavericks lost both Jason Kidd and Jason Terry to free agency. Kidd signed with the New York Knicks, while Terry joined the [[Boston Celtics]]. Brendan Haywood was later amnestied before moving to the [[Charlotte Bobcats]]. The Mavericks acquired [[Darren Collison]] from the [[Indiana Pacers]] and signed [[O. J. Mayo]] from the [[Memphis Grizzlies]]. Also joining the team were former All-Stars [[Chris Kaman]] and [[Elton Brand]].

The [[2012–13 NBA season|2012–13 season]] was a struggle for the Mavericks, as Nowitzki recovered from knee surgery and missed 29 games. Also, Collison was inexperienced at the point, leading the Mavericks to sign veteran [[Derek Fisher]] for nine games,<ref>Sefko, Eddie, "Mavericks to sign veteran point guard Derek Fisher on Thursday", SportsDayDFW, Dallas Morning News, November 28, 2013 [http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/mavericks-to-sign-veteran-point-guard-derek-fisher-on-thursday.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031060220/http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/mavericks-to-sign-veteran-point-guard-derek-fisher-on-thursday.html/|date=October 31, 2014}}</ref> before settling on [[Mike James (basketball, born 1975)|Mike James]]. Mayo was the team's leading scorer for the first two months of the season before Nowitzki's return saw his averages dip. Injuries also hounded Kaman and Brand. The Mavericks were 23–29 at the All-Star break, before making a late push for a playoff berth. Still, it did not save their season, and the Mavericks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

====2013–2016: Return to the playoffs====
[[File:Monta ellis mavs1.JPG|left|thumb|[[Monta Ellis]] (right) and [[Chandler Parsons]] (left) each spent two seasons with the Mavericks.]]
During the 2013 off-season, the Mavericks chose not to re-sign role players Collison, Brand, and Kaman. Mayo then declined to exercise his player option and later signed with the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]. The Mavericks signed [[José Calderón (basketball)|José Calderón]] from the [[Detroit Pistons]] and [[Monta Ellis]] from the Bucks. They also signed veteran [[Samuel Dalembert]].

On April 4, 2014, the Mavericks swept the season series with the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since the 1980–81 season with a 107–95 win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400490015 |title=Dirk Nowitzki's 27 help Mavs beat 2nd L.A. team in as many nights |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626151409/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400490015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Mavericks finished 49–33, one game ahead of Phoenix for the eighth and final playoff spot, which meant that they would once again have to face their in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, the top seed in the Western Conference with a 62–20 record. In Game 1 in San Antonio, Dallas had an 81–71 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Spurs rallied back and took Game 1, 85–90. However, the Mavs forced 22 turnovers in Game 2 to rout the Spurs 113–92, splitting the first two games before the series went to Dallas. In Game 3, [[Manu Ginóbili]] hit a shot that put the Spurs up 108–106 with 1.7 seconds left, but a buzzer-beater by [[Vince Carter]] gave the Mavs the victory, putting them up 2–1 in the series. The Spurs took Game 4 in Dallas 93–89 despite a late Dallas comeback, after the Spurs at one point had a 20-point lead and later won Game 5 at home, 109–103, giving them a 3–2 series lead. The Mavs avoided elimination in Game 6 at home by rallying in the fourth quarter, winning 111–113. Game 7 was on the Spurs home court, and the Spurs beat the Mavericks 119–96, putting an end to the Mavericks' season.

In the 2014 off-season, the Mavericks made several moves, the first of which was trading for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton from the New York Knicks, sending Calderón, Dalembert, Shane Larkin, and Wayne Ellington as well as two-second-round draft picks, on June 26, 2014, right before the draft. Nowitzki also took a generous discount, re-signing for three years and $25&nbsp;million, which helped Dallas sign restricted free agent [[Chandler Parsons]] from the Houston Rockets to a three-year contract at $46&nbsp;million. Devin Harris was re-signed for four years and $16&nbsp;million. Dallas brought in [[Richard Jefferson]], [[Al-Farouq Aminu]], [[Jameer Nelson]], [[Greg Smith (basketball, born 1991)|Greg Smith]] to build a deep bench. The Mavs' sixth man, Vince Carter, left in free agency to the Memphis Grizzlies.

On November 13, 2014, the Mavericks recorded their largest victory ever with a 123–70 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The 53-point margin for Dallas surpassed its 50-point win over the New York Knicks in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20141113/PHIDAL/gameinfo.html |title=76ers at Mavericks |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906114536/http://www.nba.com/games/20141113/PHIDAL/gameinfo.html |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Two days later, they scored 131 points to record their biggest point tally since 2009 in the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20141115/MINDAL/gameinfo.html |title=Timberwolves at Mavericks |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317214322/http://www.nba.com/games/20141115/MINDAL/gameinfo.html |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On December 18, 2014, the Mavericks sent [[Jae Crowder]], Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright, a 2015 first-round pick and a 2016 second-round pick to the [[Boston Celtics]] for [[Rajon Rondo]] and [[Dwight Powell]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mavs.com/mavs-acquire-rajon-rondo-dwight-powell-from-celtics/ |title=Mavs acquire four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo |work=mavs.com |date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219043216/http://www.mavs.com/mavs-acquire-rajon-rondo-dwight-powell-from-celtics/ |archive-date=December 19, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 28, 2015, the Mavericks were knocked out of the first round by their in-state rivals, the Houston Rockets, in a 4–1 series loss. After going down 3–0 in a Game 3 overtime, the Mavericks managed to win one on their homecourt before losing in Houston in the clinching game, 103–94. The Mavericks were the seventh seed in the playoffs and finished the season 50–32.

On April 25, 2016, the Mavericks were once again knocked out of the first round, this time, by the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 4–1 series loss. After managing to win a game at OKC and tying the series 1–1, the Mavericks lost three straight to lose the series. This series was marked by both teams' physicality, including a Kevin Durant Flagrant 2 foul and several Mavericks playing very aggressive defense on Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

====2016–2019: Lottery return, the arrival of Luka Dončić and Dirk's final years====
The Mavericks did not make the playoffs during the 2016–17 season, despite efforts from their newest additions, [[Seth Curry]], [[Harrison Barnes]], [[Nerlens Noel]], and [[Yogi Ferrell]]. They began the season going 3–15 through their first 18 games, and could not bounce back, finishing at a 33–49 record despite fighting towards a winning record, even reaching a 28–36 record partway through the season. This season was the second time in 17 years they missed the playoffs, with the other being the 2012–2013 season. The season marked the first time the team finished with a losing record since the 1999–2000 season.

The Dallas Mavericks received the ninth pick in the [[2017 NBA draft]] and used it to select point guard [[Dennis Smith Jr.]] out of [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|North Carolina State]]. They began the 2017–18 season 3–15 through their first eighteen games as in the year prior and concluded it on a 2–12 slump to finish with a 24–58 record despite a solid rookie season from Smith Jr., who averaged 15.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists over 69 games, landing a spot on the [[NBA All-Rookie Team|All-Rookie Second Team]]. This season was the team's worst season since the 1997–98 season, in which they finished 20–62 and drafted Dirk Nowitzki afterward.

In the [[2018 NBA draft]], Dallas traded for [[Luka Dončić]], who was drafted third by the [[Atlanta Hawks]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2018 |title=Luka Doncic headed to Mavs, Trae Young to Hawks after teams swap picks |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23867178/2018-nba-draft-dallas-mavericks-acquire-luke-doncic-send-draft-rights-trae-young-atlanta-hawks |access-date=June 21, 2018 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129063419/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23867178/2018-nba-draft-dallas-mavericks-acquire-luke-doncic-send-draft-rights-trae-young-atlanta-hawks |url-status=live}}</ref> Dallas traded their 2018 first-round pick, the fifth overall pick, and their 2019 first-round pick, the 10th overall pick. The two selections resulted in [[Trae Young]] and [[Cam Reddish]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2019/06/21/vote-with-the-luka-doncic-trae-young-trade-officially-complete-who-won-the-deal-between-the-mavs-and-hawks/ |title=Vote: With the Luka Doncic-Trae Young trade officially complete, who won the deal between the Mavs and Hawks? |date=June 21, 2019 |access-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224000606/https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2019/06/21/vote-with-the-luka-doncic-trae-young-trade-officially-complete-who-won-the-deal-between-the-mavs-and-hawks/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Head coach [[Rick Carlisle]] described Dončić as "a guy that we think is a franchise foundation piece."<ref>{{cite web |date=June 22, 2018 |title=Carlisle on Doncic: "We got a franchise foundation piece" |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/699491/carlisle-on-doncic-we-got-a-franchise-foundation-piece/ |access-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518050413/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/699491/carlisle-on-doncic-we-got-a-franchise-foundation-piece/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On July 6, 2018, long-time [[Los Angeles Clippers]] center [[DeAndre Jordan]] (who had been with the Clippers since {{nbay|2008|start}}), signed a one-year deal.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 6, 2018 |title=Mavericks sign free agent center DeAndre Jordan |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-sign-free-agent-center-deandre-jordan/ |access-date=July 8, 2018 |work=Mavs.com |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120041204/https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-sign-free-agent-center-deandre-jordan/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 1, 2018 |title=Reports: DeAndre Jordan Agrees To One-Year Deal With Mavericks |url=http://global.nba.com/news/reports-deandre-jordan-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-mavericks |access-date=July 1, 2018 |publisher=National Basketball Association |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327103150/http://global.nba.com/news/reports-deandre-jordan-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-mavericks/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mavericks finished the season with a record of 33–49 and missed the playoffs despite Dončić winning Rookie of the Year.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 24, 2018 |title=A jubilant Luka Doncic wins the NBA Rookie of the Year award in a landslide |url=https://www.mavs.com/a-jubiliant-luka-doncic-wins-the-nba-rookie-of-the-year-award/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725131417/https://www.mavs.com/a-jubiliant-luka-doncic-wins-the-nba-rookie-of-the-year-award/ |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=July 25, 2019 |work=Mavs.com}}</ref> Nowitzki announced his retirement at season's end; his 21st season with the Mavericks marked the longest that any NBA player in history spent with a single franchise.

===2019–2025: The Luka Dončić era===

====2019–2021: Return to playoff contention and Dončić's rise====
[[File:Luka Doncic (51177372745).jpg|right|thumb|[[Luka Dončić]] in 2021]]
On January 31, 2019, the Mavericks sent [[Dennis Smith Jr.]], DeAndre Jordan, [[Wesley Matthews]], and two future first-round draft picks to the [[New York Knicks]] in exchange for [[Kristaps Porziņģis]], [[Tim Hardaway Jr.]], [[Courtney Lee]], and [[Trey Burke]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Knicks trade Kristaps Porzingis to Mavericks |url=https://www.nba.com/news/kristaps-porzingis-dallas-mavericks-trade |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=December 15, 2019 |date=February 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305003333/https://www.nba.com/news/kristaps-porzingis-dallas-mavericks-trade |url-status=live}}</ref> At the quarter-mark of the 2019–20 season, the Mavericks began with a 15–6 record through their first 21 games. With Luka Dončić averaging a near 30-point [[Triple double|triple-double]], leading the Mavericks in points, rebounds, and assists and entering [[NBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]] contention, he led the Mavericks to the top-rated offense in the league.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/1389930/2019/11/19/the-mavericks-offense-has-risen-from-average-to-elite-heres-how-theyve-done-it/ |title=The Mavericks offense has risen from average to elite. |last=Kemp |first=Jake |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212012529/https://theathletic.com/1389930/2019/11/19/the-mavericks-offense-has-risen-from-average-to-elite-heres-how-theyve-done-it/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On December 12, 2019, the Mavericks won against the [[Detroit Pistons]] in [[Mexico City]], due to the NBA's efforts to expand internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2019/12/12/nba-g-league-expands-mexico-city-official-release |title=NBA G League expands to Mexico City with a landmark partnership with Capitanes |last=release |first=Official |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216043307/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/12/12/nba-g-league-expands-mexico-city-official-release |url-status=live}}</ref> During that game, Luka Dončić tallied 41 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to record multiple 40-point triple-doubles before turning 21-years-old. Dončić was later selected to his first [[2020 NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star Game]] as a Western Conference starter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Sekou |title=Captains LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo headline starters for NBA All-Star 2020 |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2020/01/23/2020-all-star-starters-and-captains-announced |access-date=August 10, 2020 |publisher=National Basketball Association |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125122735/https://www.nba.com/article/2020/01/23/2020-all-star-starters-and-captains-announced |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season]], the Mavericks were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the regular season's final eight games. They resumed play on July 31, with a 153–149 loss against the [[Houston Rockets]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rockets vs. Mavericks – Game Recap – July 31, 2020 – ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401224713 |access-date=August 10, 2020 |publisher=ESPN |language=en |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811124849/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401224713 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On August 2, after the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] lost against the [[San Antonio Spurs]], the Mavericks clinched a spot in the [[2020 NBA playoffs]] no worse than the seventh seed, marking their first trip since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Mavericks clinch a playoff spot, despite frosty shooting in the loss to Phoenix |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-clinch/ |access-date=August 10, 2020 |website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks |language=en-US |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806151503/https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-clinch/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Dončić was announced as one of the three finalists for the NBA Most Improved Player Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 NBA Awards: Complete list of finalists |url=http://www.nba.com/nbaawards/2020 |access-date=August 10, 2020 |publisher=National Basketball Association |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818115021/https://www.nba.com/nbaawards/2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the first round against the [[Los Angeles Clippers]], which was the first time the two teams ever faced off in the playoffs, the Mavericks lost 4–2, despite historically great performances by Dončić.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2020 |title=Luka Doncic got the Mavs back to the playoffs. Now he has 'no other goal' but to win a championship. |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2020/08/30/clippers-eliminate-mavericks-in-game-6-as-2nd-quarter-deep-freeze-dooms-dallas/ |access-date=September 9, 2020 |website=Dallas News |language=en |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831091315/https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2020/08/30/clippers-eliminate-mavericks-in-game-6-as-2nd-quarter-deep-freeze-dooms-dallas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Dončić later was selected to the [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA First Team]].

The 2020–21 season saw Dallas have players miss 41 games to COVID-19 protocols,<ref>{{cite web |title=has the Mavs season been unfair? stats show COVID-19 has impated Dallas most in the NBA. |date=March 3, 2021 |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/03/02/has-the-mavs-season-been-unfair-stats-show-covid-19-has-impacted-dallas-most-in-the-nbas-first-half/ |access-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023213231/https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/03/02/has-the-mavs-season-been-unfair-stats-show-covid-19-has-impacted-dallas-most-in-the-nbas-first-half/ |url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Maxi Kleber]], [[Jalen Brunson]], [[Josh Richardson]] and [[Dorian Finney-Smith]] missing most of those 41 games. Additionally the start of the season saw forward Kristaps Porziņģis missing the first 9 games as he recovered from off-season meniscus surgery. At one point Dallas dropped to 14th in the Western conference largely in part due to missing key pieces of their rotation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dallas Mavericks season recap |date=June 12, 2021 |url=https://primetimesportstalk.com/2021/06/12/dallas-mavericks-season-recap/ |access-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023213234/https://primetimesportstalk.com/2021/06/12/dallas-mavericks-season-recap/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, Dallas improved on their previous season record and finished the season 42–30. The Mavericks clinched the Southwest division for the first time since the [[2009–10 Dallas Mavericks season|2009–10 season]] following a 110–90 victory over the [[2020-21 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland Cavaliers]] on May 7, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mavs beat the Cavs |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavsclinchdivision/ |website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks |access-date=July 6, 2021 |date=May 8, 2021 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512152206/https://www.mavs.com/mavsclinchdivision/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However the Mavericks lost in the first round to the [[2020-21 Los Angeles Clippers season|Los Angeles Clippers]] for the second consecutive season in seven games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clippers win Game 7, eliminate Mavericks despite Luka Doncic's 46 points |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-06-06/clippers-win-game-7-mavericks-luka-doncic-kawhi-leonard |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 6, 2021 |date=June 6, 2021 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620090345/https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-06-06/clippers-win-game-7-mavericks-luka-doncic-kawhi-leonard |url-status=live}}</ref>

====2021–2023: The 2nd return of Jason Kidd====

Following the season on June 17, 2021, longtime head coach [[Rick Carlisle]] resigned from his position as head coach after 13 seasons.<ref name="nba.com">{{cite web |title=Rick Carlisle steps down as Mavericks coach |url=https://www.nba.com/news/rick-carlisle-wont-return-to-mavericks |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=June 18, 2021 |date=June 17, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200531/https://www.nba.com/news/rick-carlisle-wont-return-to-mavericks |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Carlisle exit">{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |last2=MacMahon |first2=Tim |title=Rick Carlisle says he won't return as Dallas Mavericks coach after 13 seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31654042/rick-carlisle-says-return-dallas-mavericks-coach-13-seasons |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=June 17, 2021 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624221725/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31654042/rick-carlisle-says-return-dallas-mavericks-coach-13-seasons |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2021–22 season would be the first season since [[2004–05 Dallas Mavericks season|2004–05]] without long-time general manager [[Donnie Nelson]], as he announced his departure from the team on June 17, 2021, a day prior to Rick Carlisle's mutual parting with the team. Carlisle and Nelson were part of the Mavericks' [[2010–11 Dallas Mavericks season|2010–11 championship squad]], with Nelson being part of the [[2005–06 Dallas Mavericks season|2005–06 team]] that made the [[2006 NBA Finals]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/mavericks-gm-donnie-nelson-mutually-agree-to-part-ways |title=Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson Mutually Agree To Part Ways |publisher=National Basketball Association |date=June 16, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616200610/https://www.nba.com/news/mavericks-gm-donnie-nelson-mutually-agree-to-part-ways |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |title=NIKE EXEC Harrison Tabbed as Mavericks' New General Manager |url=https://www.mavs.com/nicoharrison/ |website=mavs.com |date=June 28, 2021 |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628212733/https://www.mavs.com/nicoharrison/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Jason Kidd Nets coach cropped.jpg|thumb|218x218px|Former player Jason Kidd was hired as head coach in 2021|left]]
On June 28, 2021, [[Jason Kidd]], a player on the 2010–11 championship team, was hired as head coach of the team.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sefko |first1=Eddie |title=Mavericks sign Jason Kidd as new head coach |url=https://www.mavs.com/coach-kidd/ |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=June 28, 2021 |date=June 28, 2021 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628205921/https://www.mavs.com/coach-kidd/ |url-status=live}}</ref> This marked the third time that Kidd was involved with the organization.

Under Kidd, the Mavericks finished the [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]] with a 52–30 record, which netted them the fourth seed in the Western Conference. The Mavericks won their first playoff series since their 2011 championship season by defeating the Utah Jazz, 4–2, in the first round of the [[2022 NBA playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luka Dončić, Mavericks beat Jazz to advance to second round |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/luka-doncic-mavericks-beat-jazz-to-advance-to-second-round |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Fox Sports |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509023246/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/luka-doncic-mavericks-beat-jazz-to-advance-to-second-round |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mavericks won two of the games with Dončić out due to injury. The Mavericks then faced the [[Phoenix Suns]], who won a league-best 64 games in the regular season. After being down 3–2, Mavericks star Luka Dončić said, "Everybody acts tough when they're up."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rankin |first=Duane |title='Everybody acts tough when they up': Luka Doncic voices frustration after Game 5 loss to Suns |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2022/05/11/everybody-acts-tough-when-they-up-luka-doncic-upset-after-game-5-loss/9732359002/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308041253/https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2022/05/11/everybody-acts-tough-when-they-up-luka-doncic-upset-after-game-5-loss/9732359002/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mavericks won the next two games to advance to their first [[NBA Western Conference finals|Western Conference finals]] since 2011. In Game 7, the Mavericks beat the Suns by 33 points, and at one point they had a 46-point lead. During the 2022 Playoffs [[Jalen Brunson]] broke out as a star alongside Spencer Dinwiddie and Dončić, averaging 23 points in the first two series.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jalen Brunson: Basic Game Log (8th Career Playoff Game to 20th Career Playoff Game) |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brunsja01/gamelog/2022#8-20-sum:pgl_basic_playoffs |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=basketball-reference.com |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518172222/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brunsja01/gamelog/2022#8-20-sum:pgl_basic_playoffs |url-status=live}}</ref> In their first Western Conference finals appearance since 2011 the Mavericks would ultimately fall to the eventual NBA champion-[[2021-22 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] in 5 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warriors beat Mavericks 120–110 to return to NBA Finals |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401438948/mavericks-warriors |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

On Draft Night in the [[2022 NBA draft]], the Mavericks traded for center [[Christian Wood]] sending the [[Houston Rockets]] a 2022 NBA draft pick (became [[Wendell Moore Jr.]]) as well as [[Boban Marjanović|Boban Marjanovic]], [[Sterling Brown (basketball)|Sterling Brown]], [[Trey Burke]],  and [[Marquese Chriss]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mavericks complete trade for Christian Wood |url=https://www.nba.com/news/rockets-mavericks-trade-christian-wood-26-pick-boban-marjanovic |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> They also drafted guard [[Jaden Hardy]] with the 37th overall pick.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2022 |title=Mavericks trade back into 2022 NBA draft, select Jaden Hardy with 37th pick |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2022/06/23/mavericks-trade-back-into-2022-nba-draft-select-jaden-hardy-with-37th-pick/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref>

The Mavericks entered the 2022– 2023 season hoping to improve upon their WCF appearance, and traded for star guard [[Kyrie Irving]] at the 2023 trade deadline in exchange for [[Dorian Finney-Smith]], [[Spencer Dinwiddie]], a 2029 unprotected first-round draft pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nets officially trade Kyrie Irving to Mavericks |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nets-kyrie-irving-trade-dallas-mavericks |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> However, The Mavericks failed to click and failed to make the playoffs, intentionally losing the last few games by sitting their star players in order to keep the #10 overall pick instead of having it convey to the New York Knicks, who received the draft pick in the [[Kristaps Porzingis]] trade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowe |first=Josh |date=April 7, 2023 |title=The Mavericks waive the white flag, sorta, as team sits key players against Bulls |url=https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2023/4/7/23674333/the-mavericks-waive-the-white-flag-sorta-as-team-sits-key-players-against-bulls |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Mavs Moneyball |language=en}}</ref>

After [[Voyager Digital]], a [[cryptocurrency]] lender, filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection]] in July 2022,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Eliot |last2=Wang |first2=Yifan |date=July 6, 2022 |title=Crypto Broker Voyager Digital Files for Bankruptcy Protection |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/crypto-broker-voyager-digital-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-11657098630 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721054258/https://www.wsj.com/articles/crypto-broker-voyager-digital-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-11657098630 |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=News Corp}}</ref> Mark Cuban and the Mavericks were named in a [[class-action]] lawsuit that alleged that Voyager Digital was a [[Ponzi scheme]] the following month due to Cuban's promotion of Voyager and Voyager's sponsorship with the team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Simone |date=August 17, 2022 |title=Crypto Fail: Dallas Mavs' Mark Cuban Sued Over Alleged 'Ponzi Scheme' |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-mavericks-owner-mark-cuban-hit-with-lawsuit-for-promotion-of-voyager-digital-cryptocurrency-brokerage-14613526 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215182733/https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-mavericks-owner-mark-cuban-hit-with-lawsuit-for-promotion-of-voyager-digital-cryptocurrency-brokerage-14613526 |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2022 |work=Dallas Observer |publisher=Voice Media Group}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zeitchik |first1=Steven |last2=Mark |first2=Julian |date=December 14, 2022 |title=Tom Brady pushed crypto to his fans. This lawyer wants him to pay up. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/12/14/ftx-class-action-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214183551/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/12/14/ftx-class-action-lawsuit/ |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> In February 2022, the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit|U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals]] ruled in a lawsuit against [[Bitconnect]] that the [[Securities Act of 1933]] extends to [[Targeted advertising|targeted solicitation]] using [[Influencer marketing|social media]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Influencers beware: promoting the wrong crypto could mean facing a class-action lawsuit |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/18/22941470/bitconnect-ponzi-bitcoin-securities-act-sec-lawsuit-influencers-youtube-tiktok |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718010038/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/18/22941470/bitconnect-ponzi-bitcoin-securities-act-sec-lawsuit-influencers-youtube-tiktok |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=The Verge}}</ref>

==== 2023–2024: Return to NBA Finals ====
With the 10th overall pick in the [[2023 NBA draft]], the Mavericks selected [[Cason Wallace]] who they immediately traded along with [[Davis Bertans]] to the Thunder for the 12th pick, [[Dereck Lively II]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=FOX 4 |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Mavs trade down in NBA Draft, acquire Dereck Lively II |url=https://www.fox4news.com/sports/mavs-trade-down-in-nba-draft-acquire-dereck-lively-ii |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=FOX 4 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Mavericks also selected [[Olivier-Maxence Prosper]] with the 24th overall pick which they received through a salary dump of [[Richaun Holmes]] by the [[Sacramento Kings]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Afseth |first=Grant |date=July 6, 2023 |title=OFFICIAL: Mavs Trade for Kings' Richaun Holmes, OMax Prosper; Details |url=https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/dallas-mavs-sacramento-kings-trade-draft-richaun-holmes-olivier-maxence-prosper |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Dallas Mavericks News, Analysis and More |language=en}}</ref> Before the February 8, 2024, trade deadline, the Mavericks traded for [[P. J. Washington|P.J. Washington]] and two future second–round picks from the [[Charlotte Hornets]] in exchange for [[Seth Curry]], [[Grant Williams (basketball)|Grant Williams]], and a 2027 first–round pick that is top 2 protected.<ref name="Sefko">{{cite web |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |date=February 8, 2024 |title=MAVERICKS ACQUIRE WASHINGTON, GAFFORD TO BOLSTER FRONT LINE |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavs-trades/ |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=Mavs.com}}</ref> [[Daniel Gafford]] was also received from the [[Washington Wizards]] for [[Richaun Holmes]] and draft compensation.<ref name="Sefko" />

The Mavericks finished the 2023–2024 regular season as Southwest Division champions and as the 5th seed in the West with a 50–32 record.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2024 |title=Playoffs-bound Mavericks made good on promise to bounce back in 2024 |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/nba/mavericks/dallas-mavericks-playoff-bound-season-recap/287-ffc850f5-7a75-4f33-8968-2b6c0890e724 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=wfaa.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The Mavericks would face the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] in the first round of the [[2024 NBA playoffs]] for the third time in five seasons, however this time the Mavs would avenge previous playoff defeats to the Clippers in 2020 and 2021 by winning the series 4–2.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2024 |title=National reaction to Mavericks' Game 6 knockout of Clippers: 'On to the next' |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2024/05/04/national-reactions-to-mavericks-game-6-knockout-of-clippers-on-to-the-next/ |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duarte • • |first=Michael |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Clippers eliminated by Mavericks from NBA Playoffs with 114–101 loss in Game 6 |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/clippers-eliminated-by-mavericks-in-game-six/3404466/ |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=NBC Los Angeles |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trigg |first=Dalton |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Luka Doncic & 'Kyrie Irving Chaos' Lead Mavs in Series-Clinching Game 6 Win vs. Clippers |url=https://athlonsports.com/nba/dallas-mavericks/dallas-basketball/news/luka-doncic-kyrie-irving-chaos-lead-dallas-mavs-series-clinching-game-6-win-la-clippers |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Athlon Sports |language=en}}</ref> They proceeded to then eliminate the one-seeded [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in six games, winning the series-clinching Game 6 at home, 117–116.<ref name="ESPN.com2024">{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2024 |title=Mavs secure berth in WCF, get to 'keep hooping' |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40175879/dallas-mavericks-rally-eliminate-oklahoma-city-thunder |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=May 19, 2024 |title=PJ Washington's free throws send Dallas Mavericks past Thunder into West finals |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/18/mavericks-thunder-nba-playoff-report |access-date=May 19, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The win allowed the Mavericks to advance to the [[NBA conference finals|Western Conference Finals]] for the second time in three years.<ref name="ESPN.com2024" /> In the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks defeated the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in five games to win their third Western Conference title in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wolves Fall To Mavs In WCF Game Five, 124-103 |url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/wolves-fall-to-mavs-in-wcf-game-five-124-103 |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Mavericks would go on to face the [[2023-24 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]] in the [[2024 NBA Finals]], their first NBA Finals appearance since their 2011 victory. In those, the Mavericks lost in five games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boston Celtics defeat Dallas Mavericks to win 2024 NBA Finals |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-celtics-beat-dallas-mavericks-2024-nba-finals/ |publisher=cbsnews.com |access-date=June 17, 2024 |date=June 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Where do Mavericks go from here after NBA Finals loss to Celtics? |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-finals-whats-next-for-mavericks |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> Their one win came from a [[2024 NBA Finals#Game 4|122–84 blowout]], the third-largest blowout in NBA Finals history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullin • • |first=Eric |date=June 14, 2024 |title=Put the brooms away: Mavs avoid sweep with historic Game 4 rout of Celtics in NBA Finals |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/dallas-mavericks/mavericks-blowout-celtics-nba-finals-game-4/3568568/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== 2024–2025: Last year of Luka ====
{{See also|Luka Dončić trade}}

On July 6, 2024, [[Klay Thompson]] was traded to Mavericks in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick via a [[Sign-and-trade deal|sign-and-trade]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Dwain |title=Splash brother is going to the Mavericks |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavsofficiallysignthompson/ |website=Dallas Mavericks |access-date=July 8, 2024 |date=July 6, 2024}}</ref> The Mavericks also traded Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons for [[Quentin Grimes]], while also acquiring [[Naji Marshall]], [[Melvin Ajinça]], and [[Spencer Dinwiddie]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |date=July 7, 2024 |title=Mavericks sign Marshall |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavs-add-naji-marshall/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Dwain |date=June 28, 2024 |title=Ajinca is a 3-and-d player with lots of athleticism |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavstradeforajinca/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mavericks announce return of 10-year veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie |url=https://www.nba.com/news/mavericks-announce-dinwiddie-signing |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> 

On February 1, 2025, the Mavericks sent [[Luka Dončić]], [[Markieff Morris]], and [[Maxi Kleber]] to the Los Angeles Lakers in [[Luka Dončić–Anthony Davis trade|a blockbuster trade]] for [[Anthony Davis]], [[Max Christie]], and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The Utah Jazz received [[Jalen Hood-Schifino]] and two second round picks to facilitate the trade.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-02 |title=Luka's a Laker?! Grading the superstar swap that shocked the NBA |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/insider/story/_/id/43659948/luka-doncic-anthony-davis-trade-grades-winners-losers-next |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=Lakers acquire Luka Dončić from Mavericks for Anthony Davis in blockbuster, 3-team trade |url=https://www.nba.com/news/report-lakers-to-acquire-luka-doncic-from-mavericks-for-anthony-davis-others |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA world reacts to shocking trade that sends Luka Dončić to the Lakers |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-world-reacts-luka-doncic-lakers-trade |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-02 |first=Mike |last=McDaniel |title=Mavericks, Lakers Swap Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis in Stunning Late-Night Trade |url=https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks-lakers-swap-luka-doncic-anthony-davis-in-stunning-late-night-trade |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref> The trade was regarded as one of the most significant and unexpected in NBA history, marking the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Baer|title=Lakers trade Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić in one of the most shocking deals in NBA history|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-trade-anthony-davis-for-luka-doncic-in-one-of-the-most-shocking-deals-in-nba-history-051920660.html|work=Yahoo Sports|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Maloney|title=Lakers trade Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic in shocking NBA blockbuster with Mavericks and Jazz|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-trade-anthony-davis-for-luka-doncic-in-shocking-nba-blockbuster-with-mavericks-and-jazz-per-reports/|work=CBS Sports|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Abbruzzese|title='Crazy': NBA stars and pundits shocked by Luka Doncic trade|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nba/crazy-nba-stars-pundits-shocked-luka-doncic-trade-rcna190331|work=NBC News|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref> The Mavericks, who initiated the deal, drew heavy criticism for trading their [[franchise player]], while Mavericks general manager [[Nico Harrison]] defended the trade, stating, "I believe that [[defense wins championships]]."<ref>{{cite news|first=Dave|last=McMenamin|title=Luka Doncic to Lakers, Anthony Davis to Mavs in 3-team trade|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43659380/sources-mavericks-trading-doncic-lakers-anthony-davis|website=ESPN.com|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref> Dončić on the other hand was blindsided by the trade; he was not told of it until the deal was done and according to Harrison, Dončić has severed the relationship between himself and the organization.<ref>{{cite news|first=Isabel|last=Gonzalez|title= Mavericks GM didn't speak directly to Luka Doncic about stunning trade: 'Probably doesn't want to talk to me'|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/mavericks-gm-didnt-speak-directly-to-luka-doncic-about-stunning-trade-probably-doesnt-want-to-talk-to-me/|work=CBS Sports|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref> Team governor Dumont later said the trade decision had the backing of Mavericks ownership, and emphasized his support for general manager Harrison in making "tough decisions."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-09 |first=Brad |last=Townsend |title=Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont makes first public comments after Luka Doncic trade |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2025/02/09/mavericks-governor-patrick-dumont-makes-first-public-comments-after-luka-doncic-trade/ |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref>

The Mavericks ended [[2024–25 Dallas Mavericks season|their 24–25 season]] in the play in against the [[Memphis Grizzlies]]. On May 12, 2025, the Mavericks won the first overall pick in the [[2025 NBA draft]] with a less than a 2% chance of getting the pick, gaining the chance to select [[Cooper Flagg]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-12 |title=Mavericks win NBA draft lottery with 1.8% odds |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45117355/mavericks-win-nba-draft-lottery-18-odds |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/05/12/2025-nba-draft-lottery-live-results-odds-time/83579862007/|access-date=12 May 2025|work=[[USA Today]]|title=NBA draft lottery results: Dallas Mavericks win chance to select Cooper Flagg}}</ref>