Mark Cuban Goes Off On Mavericks Ownership
Mark Cuban Goes Off On Mavericks Ownership
The recent turmoil surrounding the Dallas Mavericks has brought attention to former owner Mark Cuban‘s diminishing influence following his sale of the team.
In November 2023, Cuban sold his majority stake to Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family, initially believing he would maintain control over basketball operations. However, this arrangement apparently fell through, causing significant friction when the organization made the controversial decision to trade star player Luka Dončić.
Cuban recently revealed through social media comments that the NBA prevented him from contractually securing his operational role with the team. Despite verbal assurances from the new ownership group, who reportedly had limited experience running a basketball franchise, Cuban found himself sidelined from major decisions. This disconnect between expectation and reality has fueled fan frustration, with protests emerging as supporters seek answers about the direction of the franchise under its new leadership.
Mark Cuban Did Not Influence Luka Doncic’s Trade
The basketball world was stunned by the recent trade sending Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Many fans immediately looked to Mark Cuban for answers, but the former majority owner has made it clear he had absolutely no involvement in the decision.
Cuban directly addressed the situation by telling a Dallas news station, “If I had any influence, the trade wouldn’t have happened.” Despite maintaining a minority stake in the team and his visible presence at games, his role in basketball operations has diminished significantly since selling his controlling interest in 2023 to Miriam Adelson’s family.
The actual decision-makers behind this blockbuster trade were:
- Mavericks GM Nico Harrison
- Team Governor Patrick Dumont
Harrison explained to the Dallas Morning News that the trade represented a strategic forward-thinking move. The front office was particularly concerned about Doncic’s upcoming contract situation, which included:
- Eligibility for a supermax contract this summer
- An opt-out clause in his existing deal for 2026
The timing of the trade appears linked to these contractual milestones, with management seemingly preferring to deal with these matters proactively rather than reactively.
This represents a dramatic shift in the franchise’s direction just two years after Cuban transferred control to the Adelson family, who run the Las Vegas Sands casino company. At 65, Cuban remains a visible figure at Mavericks games, but his influence on major personnel decisions appears to have ended.
For Dallas fans seeking someone to hold accountable for trading away their beloved superstar, the evidence points to the current leadership team of Harrison and Dumont, not Cuban.
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
