The Dallas Mavericks have put their fans through more trials and tribulations in the last year than most withstand in a lifetime.
For the better part of the 21st century, being a Dallas Mavericks fan was easy. Sure, there were some bumps along the road, but the franchise was a playoff staple and was always led by a legendary player, either Dirk Nowitzki or Luka Doncic.
Fans can look back on three Finals appearances since 2000, more than any team aside from the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, or Golden State Warriors.
That's not bad company to be in.
However, ever since Luka Doncic was traded away to the Los Angeles Lakers, fans have had to handle punch after punch. First, Doncic was traded. That was quickly followed up by Quentin Grimes being dealt away, Anthony Davis getting injured, Kyrie Irving getting hurt, and then Davis never living up to the hype.
Well, hey, at least they got Cooper Flagg!
In an effort to win over fans who might still have their back turned on the franchise, the Mavericks are doing the right thing as they prepare for next season.
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While the Dallas Mavericks' future is bright, especially with Flagg in town, the on-court product is lacking. The Mavericks are 12th in the Western Conference and are hoping to drop in the standings before the season ends.
Last week, in an effort to curb tanking, Charles Barkley offered his solution.
"I don’t think any team should be able to raise their ticket prices if they are below .500,” he said on Inside the NBA. “I’ve always said that. You cannot raise your ticket prices if your team is below .500. Even if you’re still trying to tank, you can’t raise your ticket prices because then you're getting your cake and eating it, too."
Well, it would seem that the Mavericks agree. In a statement to the Dallas Morning News, Team president Ethan Casson promised that ticket prices will remain the same next season.
Former majority owner Mark Cuban long preached about making games accessible, especially to working families. It would seem the new ownership group agrees with him, and as long as the Mavericks remain below where fans are used to seeing them, they can at least catch games for a halfway reasonable price.