The Dallas Mavericks made multiple bold moves in 1998. In separate draft night trades, they acquired Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. The Mavs had not made the playoffs since 1990. They were looking to build a sustainable core of young talent.
The moves were questioned. Dallas took a young player that no one knew about and a point guard from Phoenix that barely played in his first two seasons. Nash and Dirk both struggled to adjust to their new setting.
Nowitzki left his family and friends in Wurzberg, Germany to pursue a career in the NBA at the age of 20.