How One Owner’s Ego Nearly Destroyed the Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks had it all. A generational superstar in Luka Dončić. A loyal fanbase. A championship in recent memory. And then, somehow, it all started slipping away. Not because the team lost its talent. Not because the fans stopped showing up. But because the guy in charge—Mark Cuban—couldn’t help himself.
This isn’t a story about a bad group of players. It’s about what happens when ego, power, and poor judgment get in the way of what’s best for the franchise.
The Rise of Cuban
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When Mark Cuban bought the Mavericks in 2000, he brought fresh energy to a team that needed a jolt. He was loud. He was everywhere. He clashed with referees, installed high-speed internet in the locker room before it was common, and turned the Mavs into a respected franchise. By 2011, they were NBA champions. And for a while, it looked like Cuban had cracked the code. But after Dirk Nowitzki lifted that trophy, things started going sideways.
The Owner Who Wanted to Be Everything
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Cuban became more than just an owner. He wanted to be the face of the franchise, the decision-maker, the fixer, and sometimes even the story. The Mavericks missed on big free agents, made puzzling trades, and burned through role players like they were interchangeable parts. Through it all, Cubans stayed front and center.
The Luka Era—And the Missteps
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Then came Luka Dončić. Drafted in 2018, Luka changed everything. He was the most exciting thing to happen to Dallas basketball since Dirk. By the time he was 21, he was already an MVP candidate. This was Cuban’s second chance to build around a transcendent player.
A Missed Opportunity
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But instead of surrounding Luka with stability and long-term thinking, Cuban continued to chase splashy moves. The Kristaps Porziņģis trade looked good on paper, but it never worked out. After that, the front office kept making questionable decisions, like bringing in Kyrie Irving, a talented player with a history of controversy and inconsistency. Luka still put up huge numbers, but nothing really clicked. And as fans grew restless, the pressure mounted. Cuban didn’t back down. He doubled down.
The Sale and the Shock
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In late 2023, Cuban made a move that caught everyone off guard: he sold a majority stake in the Mavericks to the Adelson family, known for their ties to Las Vegas real estate and casino empires. Cuban kept a minority share and said he would still oversee basketball operations, but the message was clear: change was coming.
Many fans were suspicious. Why sell now? Why this family? And most importantly, why stay involved if you’re not in charge anymore?
The Luka Trade That Shook Dallas
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Then came the bombshell: in early 2025, the Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and draft picks. Dončić, still in his prime, still the face of the franchise, was gone, just like that.
The Fallout
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Fans were furious. Social media exploded. Season ticket holders canceled in droves. Conspiracy theories started flying? Was this all part of a plan to tear it down and rebuild somewhere else?
To be fair, there’s no concrete evidence of a planned relocation. Cuban, the Adelsons, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver have all denied it. And it’s true that Davis is still a high-level player—when he’s healthy. But that’s the problem. He rarely is.
Meanwhile, Luka went to the Lakers and immediately made them a contender again. Watching him torch opponents in purple and gold while the Mavericks struggled with injuries and chemistry issues just rubbed salt in the wound.
Cuban’s Public Meltdown
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As criticism mounted, Cuban didn’t keep quiet. He lashed out at former Mavericks VP Haralabos Voulgaris, who said Cuban “should be run out of Dallas.” Cuban responded with a wild online rant, blaming others and refusing to take responsibility for the team’s current mess. It was vintage Cuban: loud, defensive, and missing the point.
At a time when the organization needed calm leadership and a clear plan, Cuban gave them chaos. His insistence on being involved without being fully accountable left the Mavericks stuck in limbo—between what they were and what they might become.
What’s Next?
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The Mavericks aren’t doomed. They still have some talent, a loyal fanbase, and a history of bouncing back. But make no mistake—this team is in trouble. The Luka trade might go down as one of the worst in modern NBA history. And the questions about ownership, leadership, and vision aren’t going away anytime soon.
Cuban’s Complicated Legacy
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Cuban’s legacy in Dallas is complicated. He helped make the Mavericks matter. He brought a ring to the city. But in the end, his need to control everything, to be the loudest voice in the room, might have cost them their future.
Sometimes, the hardest thing for a powerful person to do is step aside. Cuban couldn’t do it when it mattered most. And now, the Mavericks are left to pick up the pieces.