The Dallas Mavericks had only been in the league three seasons when they drafted Derek Harper in 1983. They were steadily climbing, though. The Mavs won 15 times that first season. It improved to 28 in year two and 38 in the third campaign.
The Mavericks made the playoffs for the first time in his rookie season. Harper was the backup point guard behind Brad Davis. He averaged 20.9 minutes per game as a rookie.
That was the beginning of a stellar career and an exciting run by the Mavs. Harper was phenomenal during his prime.