The Dallas Mavericks have indeed been in turmoil following the trade of Luka Doncic, and Mark Cuban got much of the heat for selling off his stake.
The Doncic trade led to feelings of betrayal among fans who have organized protests both inside and outside the American Airlines Center. The general manager, Nico Harrison, has faced a significant amount of criticism from the fanbase.
Former owner Cuban has also received his share of blame for the situation.
Cuban sold his majority stake in the Mavericks to Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family in November 2023. At the time of the sale, Cuban claimed he would continue to oversee basketball operations. However, this did not materialize as expected.
Fans have been seeking clarity on the matter, and Cuban recently shed some light through comments made on Facebook.
“I fully expected to run basketball. The NBA wouldn’t let me put it in the contract. They took it out. I thought [the Adelsons] would stick to their word because they didn’t know the first thing about running a team. Someone obviously changed their mind,” Cuban wrote on Facebook.
Mark Cuban:
— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) March 28, 2025
"I fully expected to run basketball. The NBA wouldn't let me put it in the contract. They took it out, I thought the Adelsons would stick to their word because they didn't know the first thing about running a team. Someone obviously changed their mind." 😳 pic.twitter.com/VckPNKbAgn
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Cuban’s remarks hint at a breach of promise from the new ownership regarding his role and involvement in team decisions. Although his expectations were not contractual, this raises questions, particularly regarding Nico Harrison’s influence over the new owners’ decisions.
Also Read: Mark Cuban Jokes With Bill Gates About Dallas Mavericks Trading Luka Doncic
Mark Cuban Did Not Influence Luka Doncic’s Trade
The trade that sent Luka Doncic from the Mavericks to the Lakers has left the NBA world in shock. Fans were buzzing with questions, especially the big one: Why on earth did the Mavericks trade away their superstar for Anthony Davis? And who should Mavericks fans look to when seeking answers?
However, it’s not Mark Cuban, the former owner of the team. Cuban told a local Dallas station that he had no hand in this shocking deal. He sold his majority stake in 2023, handing control of the franchise over to the family of Miriam Adelson.
Adelson runs the Las Vegas Sands casino company. Even though Cuban, now 65, still holds a minority share and enjoys a presence at games, he’s stepped back from the day-to-day decisions of the team.
So, who’s really behind this trade? That would be Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison. He communicated with the Dallas Morning News, explaining that the decision was made with team governor Patrick Dumont’s backing.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison on trading Luka Doncic:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 2, 2025
“I believe that defense wins championships.”
Cold. pic.twitter.com/Do8gLhAxlA
Harrison believed the trade was a strategic move, allowing the Mavericks to position themselves for future success. He pointed out that the team wanted to get ahead of the curve, especially since Doncic was approaching a summer when he could become eligible for a supermax contract and also had an opt-out clause in his deal for the following year.
Dallas fans, here’s your answer to all the unanswered questions.
Also Read: Mark Cuban Slams NBA Over Mavericks Duo Luka Doncic And Kyrie Irving’s 2025 All-Star Snub
