Fansided

20 best NBA Draft trades ever

By John Buhler

11 May 2001: Kobe Bryant
11 May 2001: Kobe Bryant /
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Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) argues a call with the referees during the second half against the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Rockets 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) argues a call with the referees during the second half against the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Rockets 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Dirk Nowitzki from Milwaukee Bucks to Dallas Mavericks.

Dirk Nowitzki has spent all 18 of his no-doubt Hall of Fame career as the greatest player in Mavericks history. He’s been an MVP, won an NBA Finals, and has made a staggering 13 NBA All-Star Games. Nowitzki is easily a top 50 player in NBA history, but almost wasn’t a Maverick.

General manager Donnie Nelson convinced his father head coach Don Nelson that he should take a chance on the seven-foot German teenager Nowitzki in the 1998 NBA Draft. Dallas traded bruising power forward Robert Traylor’s draft rights to the Bucks for the No. 9 overall selection in Nowitzki.

Nowitzki became the greatest European player in NBA history, with his signature fade away jumper off his back foot completely terrorizing defenses from the perimeter. He became the prototype for the stretch four in the NBA and is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. Nowitzki means everything to basketball in Dallas.

Next: 4. Scottie Pippen from Seattle SuperSonics to Chicago Bulls.

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