Dallas Mavericks · Franchise era 4 of 5
The late-Dirk bridge: the Dallas Mavericks story
The story in one sentence
Dallas cycled through short-term casts around Nowitzki while protecting the continuity of his record-setting career.
Keeping a legend competitive
Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis and Harrison Barnes gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the luka era.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2011–12
What came before
Nowitzki became an MVP and perennial contender, then completed one of the sport's great redemption runs with the 2011 championship.
2014
Western Conference First Round: Dallas Mavericks vs San Antonio Spurs
- 30TradeJune 25, 2014
June 25, 2014
The trade that returned Tyson Chandler to Dallas
The Mavericks wanted the defensive center from their 2011 title team; the Knicks wanted depth, picks and a new point guard.
To DAL
To NYKDraftPICKround asset+3 assetsTyson Chandler back to DallasDAL receives Tyson Chandler, Raymond FeltonNYK receives José Calderón, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin + 3 more8 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2015
Western Conference First Round: Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets
2016
Western Conference First Round: Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder
After 2017–18
What came next
Dončić immediately became an offensive engine, leading Dallas to the 2024 Finals before the franchise made another dramatic change of direction.
The core