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DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Mark Cuban leaves the court following a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Center on October 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, is still heavily involved with the team. While he doesn’t own a majority stake in the team any longer, he still owns a partial stake. He is still heavily invested in the success of the team.

Cuban made it clear that he would never have traded Luka Doncic, unlike Patrick Dumont. That trade is part of the reason why fans want Dumont to sell the team back to Cuban. Dumont made it clear that it will not happen. Now, the Mavericks will have to build around Cooper Flagg.

Tanking in the NBA has been a massive talking point since the All-Star break started. Cuban decided to weigh in on the debate, and he believes the NBA should embrace it.

GettyDallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban claps. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Mavericks’ Mark Cuban Believes NBA Should Lean Into Tanking

Cuban made his opinion known on the tanking issue, taking to social media to voice it. It’s a very long post, but Cuban made some interesting points on why the league should embrace tanking.

“The NBA has kate been misguided thinking that fans want to see their teams compete every night with a chance to win. It’s never been that way that way. Fans know their team can’t win every game. They know only one team can win a ring. What fan that care about their team’s record want is hope. Hope they will get better and have a chance to compete for the playoffs and then maybe a ring. The one way to get closer to that is via the draft. And trades. And cap room. You have a better chance of improving via all 3, when you tank.”

Cuban then goes on to say that Mavericks fans enjoyed it when they tanked.

We didn’t tank often. Only a few times over 23 years, but when we did, our fans appreciated it. And it got us to where we could improve, trade up to get Luka, and improve our team. The NBA should worry more about fan experience than tanking. It should worry more about pricing fans out of games than tanking.”

GettyDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg dribbles the ball. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Tanking in the NBA Won’t Stop

Until the NBA replaces the draft lottery, tanking in the NBA will not stop. It’s the best way for teams to improve their roster, especially those in smaller markets. Cuban had the benefit of owning a team that is located in a bigger market, which is more attractive to players.

Cuban believes that the NBA needs to focus more on ticket pricing and having fans enjoy the experience of being in the arena. The issue with that is that tanking teams don’t play their superstars. Those families that Cuban mentions won’t be able to watch their favorite players in those games they go to.

Adam Silver seems like he is focused on fixing this issue in the offseason. There aren’t many solutions that will fix this problem.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano

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