When you think about Mark Cuban getting rejected in free agency by a star big man, DeAndre Jordan — at the center of one of the NBA’s most infamous offseason dramas — is likely the first name that comes to mind.
However, it wasn’t the only time Cuban chased a dominant center and came up empty.
Another case came in 2013. This time, the object of his pursuit, who ultimately went elsewhere? Soon-to-be Hall of Famer Dwight Howard.
Howard’s post-Lakers move
In the summer of 2013, the Mavericks and Rockets, along with reportedly three other teams, pitched their cases to the then 27-year-old Howard in California.Both offers had their pros and cons, and ultimately, it was up to the superstar center, coming off a disappointing season with the Los Angeles Lakers, to choose the best fit for him.
As is often the case in such decisions, several factors come into play — including which star players are already on each roster. It makes sense: no player wins an NBA championship title alone, and the support of at least one elite teammate is crucial. Cuban, however, appeared to dismiss that reality.
“You choose teams. You choose organizations. You choose coaches,” he firmly stated, explaining that once a player reaches a certain standing in the league, that aforementioned free agency approach becomes irrelevant.
“It’s not about you’d rather play with this guy,” the former tech entrepreneur added. “If you’re that good and you have [salary-cap] flexibility, the right organization will put the right pieces around you and get you there.”
As we all know, Cuban is famously outspoken. True to form, his words soon took a different turn, as he publicly criticized the NBA star’s decision.
“Obviously, he (Howard) made a mistake in judgment,” said the Pennsylvania native.
Was Cuban right to critique?
It’s unclear if Howard’s decision to join the Rockets was driven solely by the chance to play alongside the team’s key player, James Harden, but having the 24-year-old star on the roster was certainly a bonus. On paper, their pick-and-roll chemistry and overall on-court dynamic certainly promised to be lethal.
On the flipside, had the two-time DPOY chosen Dallas, he would have joined forces with Dirk Nowitzki, another elite player. They could have formed a dominant frontcourt, but at 35, the German legend was no longer as young and hungry as Harden. Still, that argument wasn’t enough to sway Cuban.
“If he (Howard) made a choice off of an individual player, yeah, he made a mistake,” said the then-Mavs majority owner.
Despite the seemingly fiery words, there was no ill will between Dwight and Dallas. Dirk called Houston “an up-and-coming team” that was going to be a “handful,” and Cuban admitted he held no grudges at all.
“Do I blame him? No. Young players make judgment mistakes,” the now 67-year-old remarked.
Ironically, the Mavs faced the Rockets in their second game of the season on November 1, 2013. Houston won 113–105 at Toyota Center. While Howard’s stats weren’t flashy, he dominated the boards with a game-high 16 rebounds, helping his new team triumph over the franchise he had passed on just months earlier.