In 2015 a franchise star was rising. A year after taking the Los Angeles Clippers to seven games in the first round a young and scrappy Golden State Warriors team ascended the NBA ladder, culminating in a title against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the beginning of a dynasty that featured five straight NBA Finals appearances and three championships. Quite the kickoff to a historic legacy.
At the same time an era of Dallas Mavericks basketball was tripping and sputtering to a close. Dirk Nowitzki gracefully transitioned from his prime and the franchise was searching different roads forward, offering the keys to Chandler Parsons and whoever else he might get to join him.