Building the ultimate Dallas Mavericks lineup is a journey through basketball royalty, one that fuses eras, playing styles, personalities, and positions into a single vision of what could be the most dominant five-man group ever assembled in franchise history. The Mavericks, despite having just one NBA championship to their name, have been home to a number of iconic players who left indelible marks both on the team and the league at large. From the clutch shooters of the early 2000s to the international brilliance that redefined the organization, this hypothetical exercise calls for careful selection. It’s not just about the five best players who ever wore a Mavericks uniform; it’s about building a team with chemistry, positional balance, versatility, and the capability to dominate on both ends of the floor in any era.
At point guard, Jason Kidd is the clear and almost unanimous choice. Though his prime years were split across multiple teams, Kidd’s importance to the Mavericks—especially in their 2011 championship run—cannot be overstated. His basketball IQ, ability to orchestrate an offense, and tenacity on defense made him the floor general every championship-caliber team needs. While not the most explosive scorer, Kidd’s passing and leadership made everyone around him better. He was a triple-double threat every night during his prime, and even in his older years with Dallas, he proved capable of steering the ship with calm precision and veteran poise. His ability to guard both guard positions also makes him an asset in any all-time lineup. Despite having other talented floor generals over the years, none brought the all-around impact and gravitas Kidd offered.
At shooting guard, the nod goes to Rolando Blackman. Long before Dirk Nowitzki turned Dallas into a global basketball brand, Blackman was the face of the franchise. He was a four-time All-Star, a prolific scorer with a smooth mid-range game, and a clutch performer who carried the Mavericks through some of their best runs in the 1980s. Blackman was the kind of player whose scoring touch and poise in high-pressure moments set the tone for professionalism. His skillset translates across eras—he didn’t need a three-point line to make defenses sweat. What he lacked in flash, he made up for in relentless efficiency and old-school reliability. Pairing Blackman’s scoring prowess and off-ball movement with Kidd’s orchestration creates a seamless backcourt fit that blends basketball intelligence with versatile offensive execution.
Small forward is where the challenge deepens. Dallas has never been particularly rich in elite small forwards, but the choice here is Mark Aguirre. A dynamic scorer with a powerful build and soft touch, Aguirre was a two-time All-Star with the Mavericks and their first true superstar before later winning titles with Detroit. In his prime, Aguirre was capable of averaging over 25 points per game and had the offensive versatility to score from virtually anywhere. He brought a physical style of play and wasn’t afraid to take on defensive assignments, even if defense wasn’t his calling card. Placing Aguirre at the three gives this lineup a high-octane scoring option that can create his own shot when plays break down, a necessity in any great all-time unit. He could punish mismatches, draw fouls, and was a menace in transition.
Power forward is a no-brainer. Dirk Nowitzki is not only the greatest Maverick of all time, but arguably the greatest shooting big man in the history of basketball. A 14-time All-Star, league MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and the driving force behind the franchise’s only championship in 2011, Dirk’s legacy is secure and his jersey rightfully hangs in the rafters. What makes him a must-have in any Mavericks all-time lineup isn’t just his stats, which are staggering in their own right—it’s how he changed the way the game is played. His one-legged fadeaway is iconic, his loyalty to the franchise unmatched, and his ability to stretch the floor and hit big shots makes him the perfect offensive fulcrum. Even when defenses keyed in on him, he still found ways to be effective. He drew double-teams, made clutch baskets, and showed rare mental toughness in the biggest moments. With Dirk at the four, the floor spacing becomes elite, and the offense gains a generational weapon capable of bailing the team out of dry spells.
