9 Basketball Players who Played for Mavericks and Suns
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Mavericks and the Suns.
Shawn Marion
Shawn Marion, nicknamed “The Matrix”, was drafted 9th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 1999 NBA Draft. He quickly became a key player for the Suns, known for his ability to fill up the stat sheet with points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
Marion was a four-time NBA All-Star and was considered one of the most versatile players in the league, capable of playing and defending multiple positions effectively. His career includes stops with the Heat, Raptors, and Cavaliers, but he is perhaps best remembered for his time with the Mavericks, where he won an NBA Championship in 2011.
For his career, Marion scored 17,700 points, grabbed 10,101 rebounds, and racked up 1759 steals, which demonstrates his ability to contribute across various facets of the game.
*Marion was the most popular pick for this square in a previous grid (Grid 7)
Marion Key Stats
- All-NBA (Suns)
- All-Star (Suns)
- NBA Championship (Mavericks)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Suns)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Suns)
Steve Nash
Steve Nash is widely recognized as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Born in South Africa and raised in Canada, Nash played 18 seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks.
Nash was selected 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 1996 NBA Draft. After two seasons, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he teamed up with Dirk Nowitzki to create one of the most potent duos in the NBA. Nash blossomed in Dallas, earning his first All-Star selection in 2002.
In 2004, Nash returned to Phoenix, where he enjoyed the peak of his career. Under Coach Mike D’Antoni’s fast-paced, offense-oriented system, Nash won back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player awards in 2005 and 2006, a rare feat for point guards.
Nash Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Suns, Mavericks, Lakers)
- MVP (Suns)
- All-NBA (Mavericks, Suns)
- All-Star (Mavericks, Suns)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Mavericks, Suns)
Amar’e Stoudemire
Amar’e Stoudemire was selected 9th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Suns, and he made an immediate impact, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Standing 6’10”, Stoudemire was known for his athleticism, scoring ability, and explosive dunks.
With the Suns, he was part of a high-octane offense run by point guard Steve Nash. During his time there, he was named an NBA All-Star six times and helped lead the Suns to the Western Conference Finals in 2005 and 2010.
In 2010, Stoudemire signed with the New York Knicks, where he continued his All-Star performances. However, unfortunately, his time with the Knicks was marred by persistent injuries.
Stoudemire Key Stats
- All-NBA (Suns, Knicks)
- All-Star (Suns, Knicks)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Suns, Knicks)
Michael Finley
Michael Finley spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns in the NBA. Drafted 21st overall by the Suns in the 1995 NBA Draft, Finley quickly established himself as a reliable scorer and played a significant role in Phoenix.
After a trade to the Mavericks in 1998, Finley blossomed into one of the premier shooting guards in the league. Alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, he helped form the core of a rejuvenated Mavericks team that became a regular playoff contender in the early 2000s.
During his time with the Mavericks, Finley was a two-time NBA All-Star. He was known for his scoring ability, three-point shooting, athleticism, and leadership. He averaged a career-high 22.6 points per game in the 1999-2000 season and consistently averaged around 20 points per game during his prime.
Finley Key Stats
- NBA Champion (Spurs)
- All-Star (Mavericks)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Mavericks)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Mavericks)
Tyson Chandler
Tyson Chandler was renowned for his rebounding and defensive skills. Drafted straight out of high school as the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2001 NBA draft, Chandler was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he spent his first five seasons.
He moved to the Dallas Mavericks in 2010, where he won the NBA Championship in 2011. His exceptional performance earned him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award the following season.
Throughout his career, Chandler played for several NBA teams (8 in total) including the Knicks, Suns, Lakers and Rockets. Known for his tenacity on defense and ability to protect the rim, he also had significant success on the international stage, winning a gold medal with Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics.
Chandler Key Stats
- All-NBA (Knicks)
- All-Star (Knicks)
- NBA Championship (Mavericks)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Pelicans, Knicks, Mavericks, Suns)
Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder is an NBA player known for his toughness and versatility. He was drafted 34th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2012 NBA Draft, but was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks where he spent the first part of his career.
Crowder has been something of an NBA journeyman, playing for several teams including the Celtics, Cavaliers, Jazz, Grizzlies, Heat, Suns and Bucks. Despite changing teams frequently, Crowder has consistently been valued for his ‘3-and-D skills’ (three-point shooting and defense), as well as his ability to play both forward positions.
He has played crucial roles in deep playoff runs for several teams, including the Miami Heat in 2020, where he helped the team reach the NBA Finals, and the Phoenix Suns in 2021, also reaching the NBA Finals.
Vince Carter
Vince Carter is renowned for his extraordinary leaping ability, scoring prowess, and longevity in the league. He was selected fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1998 NBA Draft but was immediately traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he quickly emerged as a star.
Carter was a sensation in Toronto, earning the nickname “Vinsanity” for his remarkable athleticism and spectacular dunks. His performance in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, where he showcased a variety of stunning dunks, remains one of the most memorable in NBA history.
Throughout his career, Carter earned eight All-Star selections. Remarkably, he played 22 seasons in the NBA, retiring after the 2019-2020 season with the Hawks. His longevity, combined with his high-flying playing style and scoring ability, ensured his place as one of the most entertaining and respected players in NBA history.
Carter Key Stats
- Rookie of the Year (Raptors)
- All-NBA (Raptors)
- All-Star (Raptors, Nets)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Raptors, Nets)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Nets)
Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell enjoyed a successful 15-season career in the NBA, known for his clutch shooting and leadership. Drafted 24th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1993 NBA Draft, Cassell proved instrumental in the Rockets’ back-to-back NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995.
His tenure in the NBA saw him wearing jerseys for eight different teams, including standout stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Despite being traded multiple times, Cassell consistently produced on the court, averaging 15.7 points and 6.0 assists per game over his career. He was named an All-Star once, in 2003-04, while with the Timberwolves.
Cassell Key Stats
- All-Star (Timberwolves)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Nets, Bucks, Clippers)
Jim Jackson
Jim Jackson entered the NBA when he was selected 4th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1992 NBA Draft.
In Dallas, he quickly showcased his scoring prowess, becoming one of the young pillars of the team alongside Jason Kidd and Jamal Mashburn. However, despite the promise, the trio was short-lived due to various factors, including injuries and internal dynamics.
What followed for Jackson was a journeyman’s career, as he played for 12 different NBA teams, which included stints with the 76ers, Warriors, Trail Blazers, and Rockets, among others. Despite the frequent relocations, Jackson consistently proved his worth on the court, often providing a scoring punch and veteran presence.
Jackson Key Stats
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Mavericks)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Nets, Warriors)
