The Dallas Mavericks have been at the center of controversy and fan-driven criticism since Mark Cuban sold his majority ownership stake in late 2023. However, a new development could put the franchise into another set of hands.
Billionaire tech visionary, investment entrepreneur, and basketball superfan Mark Cuban sold his majority ownership of the Dallas Mavericks in December 2023 after two decades as the team's figurehead in the front office.
Since Cuban's sale to the Patrick Dumont and Miriam Adelson family, the franchise has seen some of its highest highs and lowest lows.
Dallas reached the NBA Finals in the first year of the new ownership, but turned around months later and traded Luka Doncic, arguably the organization's best basketball talent ever, in the dead of night last February.
Since then, the basketball product has suffered, general manager Nico Harrison has been fired, and Doncic's marquee return, Anthony Davis, has been shipped off after a forgettable stay. Through it all, Dumont has caught flack for the PR disaster that's come as a result.
Now, it appears there could be movement on the keys to the franchise changing hands once again.
According to NBA reporter and plugged-in Mavs insider Marc Stein, "an unidentified Dallas investor group is interested in partnering with Mark Cuban to buy the Mavericks back from Patrick Dumont."
Dallas' prized superstar-to-be is reportedly a major selling point as a glimmer of hope for the still-profitable future.
Dumont is set to officially become the CEO of the Las Vegas Sands casino company on March 1.
Much of the conversation about Dumont and Adelson's purchase of the Mavericks has centered on the idea of getting gambling legalized in Texas to then construct a new basketball-only arena that pairs with a casino-style resort.
But, now amid the turmoil - the roster crisis, speculation of a relocation to Las Vegas, and the dispute over the American Airlines Center with the NHL co-tenant Dallas Stars - perhaps Dumont is deciding to stick to his day job and get out of the basketball business.
Regarding the legislative lobbying, it's been a flop. A critic of the new ownership might argue it may be time to cut the losses.
For Cuban, the emergence of Flagg, corresponding with the departure of Harrison and Davis, couldn't come at a better time.
Some blame Cuban's sale to Dumont as the single poisoned root to the dead tree. This is now an opportunity to retake control. It can regain the trust of a broken fan base that is yearning to grasp onto the promises Flagg offers, but is wary of past trauma.
Since Harrison's termination, it was already confirmed that Cuban received more leadership say in basketball-related decisions, a power he had unknowingly lost in the past.
Flagg is now the sole centerpiece of the team's current and future success, so retaking complete control may turn out to be the best way forward for the franchise.
Time will tell if it all comes to fruition and finally signals a light at the end of what has been a long, hoops-tragic tunnel.