The 1991–92 NBA season was the Mavericks' 12th season in the National Basketball Association. The Mavericks had the sixth pick in the 1991 NBA draft, and selected Doug Smith from the University of Missouri. Prior to the start of the season, Roy Tarpley was banned from the NBA for violating the league's substance abuse policy for a third time. Fat Lever missed most of the season again due to injury, only playing in just 31 games, as the Mavericks began to regret acquiring him from the Denver Nuggets for two first round draft picks. After a 12–15 start, the Mavericks struggled and went on an 11-game losing streak as they lost 19 of 20 games. Midway through the season, James Donaldson was traded to the New York Knicks as the Mavericks got even worse posting a 15-game losing streak in March, f