1999–2000 Dallas Mavericks season

{{short description|NBA professional basketball team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{NBA season

| team = Dallas Mavericks

| end_year = 2000

| DivisionWin =

| wins = 40

| losses = 42

| division = Midwest

| division_place = 4

| conf_place = 9

| coach = Don Nelson

| gm = Don Nelson

| owners =

• Ross Perot Jr. (through January 4, 2000)
• Mark Cuban (after January 4, 2000)

| arena = Reunion Arena

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| bbr_team = DAL

| television = KSTR-TV
Fox Sports Net Southwest

| radio = KRLD

}}

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Mavericks' 20th season in the National Basketball Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2000.html |title=1999-00 Dallas Mavericks |publisher=Basketball-reference.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-11}} This season is especially notable as Mark Cuban purchased the team from Ross Perot Jr. in January 2000.{{cite news | title = Cuban Makes Mavs Purchase Official | work = United Press International | date = January 14, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/01/14/Cuban-makes-Mavs-purchase-official/5519947826000/ | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Patterson | first = Randall | title = The Idled Workaholic | work = The New York Times | date = March 5, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/05/magazine/the-idled-workaholic.html | access-date = July 16, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Nelson Will Stay with Mavericks | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 29, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-29-sp-35326-story.html | access-date = November 17, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = A True Maverick | work = Los Angeles Times | date = December 3, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-03-sp-60727-story.html | access-date = September 15, 2022}} Under Cuban's leadership, the Mavs built a foundation for continued NBA success that eventually led to two Finals appearances (and one championship) in the next decade. During the off-season, the Mavericks re-acquired former center Sean Rooks from the Los Angeles Lakers.{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = Green Returns to Lakers: Pro Basketball: A Void Is Filled as Former Power Forward Is Re-Acquired in Deal That Sends Rooks and Draft Pick to the Mavericks | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 2, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-02-sp-6072-story.html | access-date = July 2, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = A.C. Green Heads Back to L.A. | work = CBS News | date = September 2, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ac-green-heads-back-to-la/#app | access-date = July 2, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = 1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best | work = The New York Times | date = October 31, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/31/sports/1999-2000-nba-preview-the-west-is-still-the-best.html | access-date = January 13, 2022}}

The Mavericks continued to struggle with a 9–23 start to the regular season, as Gary Trent only played just eleven games due to hamstring and groin injuries,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Mavs Complete 4-Game Series Sweep | work = ESPN | date = January 25, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/2000/20000125/recap/gswdal.html | access-date = October 17, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Mavericks Re-Sign Davis, Trent | work = Associated Press | date = August 1, 2000 | url = https://apnews.com/article/301348bfcad5892b875694f5c506455e | access-date = June 8, 2022}} and Hot Rod Williams was out for the entire season with a back injury.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Heat Waives 40-Year-Old Forward Ellis | work = Los Angeles Times | date = October 31, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-31-sp-44690-story.html | access-date = November 17, 2022}} However, after the slow start, the team then won 11 of their next 15 games. At mid-season, the Mavs signed former All-Star, and controversial power forward Dennis Rodman;{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Rodman Signs with Mavericks | work = CBS News | date = January 25, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rodman-signs-with-mavericks/ | access-date = July 16, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Aron | first = Jamie | title = THE NBA: Rodman, Mavericks Close to Agreement | work = Kitsap Sun | date = January 26, 2000 | url = https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/01-26/0016_the_nba__rodman__mavericks_close_.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Rodman Finally Signs with the Mavericks | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 4, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-04-sp-60957-story.html | access-date = June 8, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Rodman's Back in League After Signing with Mavs | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = February 4, 2000 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/02/04/rodman-s-back-in-league-after-signing-with-mavs/ | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Commitment, Redefined: Rodman Returning | work = The New York Times | date = February 6, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/06/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-commitment-redefined-rodman-returning.html | access-date = October 12, 2022}} however, Rodman's behavior issues led to a very short tenure in Dallas, as he was released to free agency in early March after twelve games.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Rodman Critical of Mavericks' Decision | work = ESPN | date = March 9, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0309/412680.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Dallas Releases Its Maverick, Rodman | work = Deseret News | date = March 9, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/3/9/19555702/dallas-releases-its-maverick-rodman | access-date = July 1, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Sun Sports | title = THE NBA: After 29 Days, Mavs Waive Rodman | work = Kitsap Sun | date = March 9, 2000 | url = https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/03-09/0047_the_nba__after_29_days__mavs_waiv.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | title = MAVERICKS: Rodman's Response to Waiver: "I Don't Get It" | work = Kitsap Sun | date = March 10, 2000 | url = https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/03-10/0007_mavericks__rodman_s_response_to_w.html | access-date = July 16, 2021}} The Mavericks held a 20–28 record at the All-Star break,{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 10, 2000 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=10&year=2000 | access-date = July 22, 2022}} then later on won nine of their final ten games in April, and finished in fourth place in the Midwest Division with a 40–42 record; however, they missed the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season.{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 Dallas Mavericks Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2000_games.html | access-date = June 26, 2021}}

Michael Finley averaged 22.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and was selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game in Oakland, California,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Stockton, Malone Among All-Star Reserves | work = ESPN | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0201/328614.html | access-date = May 2, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA All-Star Team Selected | work = CBS News | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-all-star-team-selected/ | access-date = May 2, 2023}}{{cite news | title = NBA All-Star 2000 | work = Deseret News | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/2/13/19490723/nba-all-star-2000 | access-date = January 9, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Recap | work = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2000 | access-date = May 15, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Game: West 137, East 126 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2000.html | access-date = November 27, 2021}} while second-year star Dirk Nowitzki showed improvement, averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and Cedric Ceballos provided the team with 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. In addition, Erick Strickland contributed 12.8 points and 1.5 steals per game, while Robert Pack provided with 8.9 points and 5.8 assists per game, but only played just 29 games due to a sprained ankle,{{cite news | title = Mavericks Place Pack on Injured List | work = United Press International | date = December 18, 1999 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1999/12/18/Mavericks-place-Pack-on-injured-list/9281945493200/ | access-date = November 17, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Wormless Mavs overwhelm Pistons | work = ESPN | date = February 17, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/2000/20000217/recap/detdal.html | access-date = October 17, 2022}} Steve Nash contributed 8.6 points and 4.9 assists per game, but only played 56 games due to an ankle injury,{{cite news | title = Dallas 95, Toronto 93 | work = ESPN | date = October 21, 1999 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/2000/991021/recap/tordal.html | access-date = November 17, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Macur | first = Juliet | title = 5-0 Magic Prove Critics Wrong | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = October 25, 1999 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1999-10-25-9910250134-story.html | access-date = October 25, 2022}} Shawn Bradley averaged 8.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, and Hubert Davis contributed 7.4 points per game off the bench, while shooting .491 in three-point field goal percentage.{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 Dallas Mavericks Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2000.html|access-date=June 26, 2021}} Nowitzki also finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Rose Named Most Improved | work = CBS News | date = May 24, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rose-named-most-improved/ | access-date = March 15, 2024}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = As Rose Blossoms, the Accolades Come | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 25, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-25-sp-34012-story.html | access-date = March 15, 2024}}{{cite news | title = "Most Improved" Rose Could Improve Bulls | work = Chicago Tribune | date = May 25, 2000 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/05/25/most-improved-rose-could-improve-bulls/ | access-date = March 15, 2024}} while Ceballos finished tied in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2000.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}}

Following the season, Ceballos was traded to the Detroit Pistons,{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Laettner and Mills Head to Dallas in Five-Player Deal | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = August 29, 2000 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'00-'01/2000_off-season/082900Laettner_Ceballos.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Laettner Traded for Ceballos | work = CBS News | date = August 30, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/laettner-traded-for-ceballos/ | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Mavericks Acquire Laettner in a Deal with the Pistons | work = The New York Times | date = August 30, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/30/sports/pro-basketball-mavericks-acquire-laettner-in-a-deal-with-the-pistons.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Shapiro | first = Mark | title = Pistons Trade Laettner to Mavericks | work = Chicago Tribune | date = August 30, 2000 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-08-30-0008300303-story.html | access-date = October 12, 2022}} while Strickland was traded to the New York Knicks,{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Nine NBA Draft 2000 Deals | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = June 28, 2000 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'00-'01/2000_off-season/Draft_Day_Deals.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Berman | first = Marc | title = Knicks Deal Pick for Mavs' Guard | work = New York Post | date = June 29, 2000 | url = https://nypost.com/2000/06/29/knicks-deal-pick-for-mavs-guard/ | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Broussard | first = Chris | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Strickland Is Surprised, But Happy to Be a Knick | work = The New York Times | date = June 30, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/30/sports/pro-basketball-strickland-is-surprised-but-happy-to-be-a-knick.html | access-date = June 23, 2022}} Rooks was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers,{{cite news | last = White | first = Lonnie | title = Rooks Contributing as Backup and Leader | work = Los Angeles Times | date = October 18, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-18-sp-38280-story.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | last = White | first = Lonnie | title = You Can Go Home Again | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 3, 2001 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-03-sp-20717-story.html | access-date = October 17, 2022}} Pack and Williams were both dealt to the Boston Celtics in a four-team trade,{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Jazz Make Deal for Marshall | work = Deseret News | date = August 14, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/8/14/19523717/jazz-make-deal-for-marshall | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Staff and Wire Reports | title = Marshall, Eisley Included in Four-Team NBA Trade | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 15, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-15-sp-4653-story.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Four NBA Teams in 9-Man Swap | work = CBS News | date = August 16, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/four-nba-teams-in-9-man-swap/ | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; 4 N.B.A. Teams Involved in Trade | work = The New York Times | date = August 17, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/17/sports/plus-pro-basketball-4-nba-teams-involved-in-trade.html | access-date = October 12, 2022}} who then sent Pack back to his former team, the Denver Nuggets,{{cite news | title = PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Pack Trade to Nuggets Official | work = The New York Times | date = October 17, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/17/sports/plus-pro-basketball-pack-trade-to-nuggets-official.html | access-date = June 10, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Celtics, Nuggets Complete Four-Player Trade | work = Los Angeles Times | date = October 17, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-17-sp-37663-story.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Pack Returns to Nuggets | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = October 29, 2000 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'00-'01/2000_off-season/101600Pack,Herren_in_4_Player_deal.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}} and released Williams to free agency as he retired.