With the frenzy of the 2025 NBA Draft still ringing through the hoop community, Dallas Mavericks co‑owner Mark Cuban dropped a seismic proposal on X (formerly Twitter). In a simple but provocative tweet, Cuban urged the league to expand its long‑standing two‑round format into a four‑round affair that could reshape talent evaluation and roster construction.
Cuban contends that this system leaves too many viable talents on the outside looking in and that two extra rounds would integrate those players directly into the league’s developmental pipeline.
Mavericks Co-Owner Mark Cuban Calls for Four-Round NBA Draft to Uncover Deeper Talent
The NBA Draft has been limited to two rounds since 1989 under a collective bargaining agreement with the Players Association. Cuban argues that doubling the draft to four rounds would open more doors for underrated yet worthy prospects.
On June 28, 2025, Cuban tweeted via his official X handle. He wrote, “As you get into the 50s, agents start calling in a panic to get their guy drafted or, in some cases, telling teams not to draft their guy, so he can go to a team they think is a better fit. But once the last name is called, the real scramble starts.”
In his post, Cuban highlighted how agents would change their minds after commitment, “It’s literally the hardest part of the draft because it’s a free for all. Agents will commit at midnight, then get an offer from another team they decided is better for them and let you know via text at 2am.”
The @Nba should add 2 rounds. As you get into the 50s, agents start calling in a panic to get their guy drafted or in some cases telling teams not to draft their guy, so he can go to a team they think is a better fit.
But once the last name is called, the real scramble starts.… https://t.co/4Pu2zI6qyD
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 29, 2025
Cuban suggested that two additional rounds could organize the entire process, although this may restrict some of the players’ flexibility.
“I proposed to go to 4 rounds as part of the last CBA. Per usual. They ignored me. It would make things so much more organized and easier for teams. Players might not like it as much as they lose some flexibility to pick their best situation…,” Cuban elaborated. His voice on league matters is particularly intriguing now that he is no longer the Mavericks’ majority owner.
In late 2023, he sold a 73% stake in the franchise to Adelson and Dumont families for roughly $3.5 billion. The deal was approved by the NBA Board of Governors in December, which installed Patrick Dumont as governor while Cuban retained a 27% minority share and his role overseeing basketball operations.
NBA Analyst Calls For Revolutionizing the NBA Draft With 70-Pick Event
The catalyst for this latest push arrived in late June, when Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard, widely projected as a late second‑round pick, went unselected. The Mavericks promptly signed him to a two‑way contract, stoking debate over the fate of undrafted standouts.
On June 26, Bill Simmons of The Ringer erupted on X, “I can’t believe nobody drafted Ryan Nembhard. And then Dallas steals him on a 2-way? I think he’s gonna be good. The NBA should add a 10-player third round and make it a 70-pick draft. The worst 10 teams get one more 3rd rounder.”
I can’t believe nobody drafted Ryan Nembhard. And then Dallas steals him on a 2-way? I think he’s gonna be good. The NBA should add a 10-player third round and make it a 70-pick draft. The worst 10 teams get one more 3rd rounder.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 27, 2025
Simmons’ proposal alone would convert the draft into a 70‑selection event, underscoring the call for deeper talent discovery.
In response to the tweet, Cuban continued, “And yes, Ryan was a huge get for us. He can play. If there weren’t so many picks consolidated with a few teams, forcing them to draft and stash, he would have been picked early to mid 2nd round.”
Yet the strategic upsides are compelling. An expanded draft could funnel more prospects directly onto NBA rosters or developmental contracts. Second‑round gems like All-Star Jalen Brunson (No. 33 in 2018) and NBA champion Patty Mills (No. 55 in 2009) have proven that late selections can yield league stalwarts. For now, Cuban’s tweet has reignited a foundational debate as the NBA’s talent pool swells worldwide.
Or why not create 5 more NBA teams after all there’s 50 states and teams are playing each other 3-5x a year why when you can essentially grow some other markets bring on more talent… people are tired of the same teams