Mark Cuban is no longer the majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, but that’s not stopping him from speaking his mind about the team whenever he gets the chance.
Cuban owned the Mavericks for over twenty years, including overseeing the franchise’s lone NBA title win in 2011 when Dirk Nowitzki and Co. defeated LeBron James and the infamous Miami Heat.
The Mavericks have been taking plenty of heat following the Luka Dončić trade. But Cuban is choosing to see the glass half full — even if fans don’t agree with him.
Mavericks Fan Rips Mark Cuban for Hot Take on Dallas’ Frontcourt
While talking with Stephen A. Smith, Cuban made a bold statement about Dallas’ new-look frontcourt. He called the trio of Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford “the best big three in the NBA.”
Mark Cuban:
“You know the truth is between AD, Dereck Lively II and Gafford, that's the best big three in the NBA…”
(via @stephenasmith)
pic.twitter.com/gYCs9NP5Ql— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) April 4, 2025
Not everyone was buying it. One fan, didn’t just disagree — they went off.
“This dumb piece of s*** is running his mouth again, eh? Hey Cubes – who’s gonna create shots between those 3 bigs? Who’s gonna distribute the ball, run the offense and take the clutch shots?? 77 did all that. Worst f***ing trade ever.”
While many fans are still questioning why the Mavericks traded Dončić, it’s not like Dallas came away empty-handed. On paper, that frontcourt has talent.
The problem? The Mavericks also picked up Davis — and all the concerns that come with him. Most notably, his struggle to stay healthy. That showed up immediately, as Davis got hurt in his debut with Dallas.
And without a playmaker like Dončić to run the show, this lineup may not click the way Cuban hopes. The Mavericks made the NBA Finals last season largely because of what Dončić brought to the floor. He was that much of a difference-maker.
Davis is a great player, but even when healthy, he’s not Dončić. He’s never been the best player on a team with real championship goals. He’s at his best with someone like Dončić or LeBron James running alongside him.
All is not lost for Dallas — but this roster can’t be the endgame. The Mavericks need another star, someone who can score, create plays, and tie the pieces together. He doesn’t have to be as good as Dončić, but he has to make the frontcourt work.
Bottom line: Cuban might not be wrong about the potential of the Mavericks’ frontcourt. But without a key piece to pull it all together, Dallas has a long way to go.