The Trade For Hall Of Famer Dirk Nowitzki Among Most Lopsided Trades In Sports History

In 1998, the Dallas Mavericks acquired Dirk Nowitzki for Robert Traylor on draft night

Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki was initially drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks ninth in the 1998 draft but was traded along with Pat Garrity to the Dallas Mavericks on draft night for Robert ‘Tractor’ Traylor.

 It turned out to be one of the worst trades in NBA history, but at the time, both franchises believed it was a deal that would help both teams. However, according to Nowitzki, it was the perfect time for his skill set at the power forward position. The NBA was looking to transition from the physicality that transpired from the rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat in the mid to late 90s.

“Yeah, I think the game has evolved so much since I first got in the league. In the 1990s it was still a physical league," Nowitzki said during a press conference in Dallas earlier this week. "The fours and fives are all bangers and rebounders. There are a few outliers, but most of the fours and fives were defenders and rebounders. I came in at the right time, I think, when the league was changing. The NBA was a little tired of the 70 to 80 score, and the New York Knicks and Miami Heat physical series had a lot of holding, pushing, and so, I think they wanted to get away from some of that physical play."

Nowitzki, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend, won the NBA’s regular season MVP award in 2007 and the Finals MVP in 2011. He also appeared in 14 All-Star games, made 12 All-NBA teams, finished his career sixth on the all-time scoring list, and is a member of the league's Top-75 list. 

“They got rid of the hand check and all that obviously saying all that played right into my hands," Nowitzki said. "I was a guy that loved to face up, be outside, play with more on the perimeter than banging with the big guys, and then of course I think Nelly [Don Nelson] helped of course. I think if I had gone to another team, maybe they would have bulked me up; maybe it would have stuck me under the basket play Closer to the basket. But Nelly always saw the game differently; he was a mismatch master and wanted me to shoot.”

Landon Buford is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at landon.buford@att.net