Mark Cuban Takes Mavericks Owner Patrick Dumont to Court Over $3.5 Billion Sale, Brings Up Luka Dončić Trade in Filing

It’s been almost a year and a half since the Dallas Mavericks did the unthinkable by trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, and yet they are still dealing with the fallout of a situation that was highly avoidable. Now, former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is taking action against the team’s new owner, Patrick Dumont.

Latest on the Drama Between Mark Cuban, Patrick Dumont

Cuban has decided to take Dumont to court over the $3.5 billion sale of the Mavericks from more than three years ago. The Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend&utmsource=t.co&utmmedium=referral) revealed the court filings, which show that Cuban is alleging Dumont didn’t hold up certain aspects of their handshake agreement.

That includes allowing Cuban to continue overseeing basketball operations, which did not happen. As Cuban notes: “Contrary to their agreement, Cuban did not retain control of basketball operations, as the Luka Dončić trade disappointingly confirmed.”

The two sides apparently had a different understanding of the sale, as Townsend notes.

“Cuban maintained a 27% stake and has repeatedly said there was a verbal agreement that he would continue to oversee basketball operations,” Townsend wrote. “But Dumont disagreed in his first interview as team governor, telling The News that he would have final say, though he would welcome and appreciate Cuban’s input.

“Cuban reiterated his public comments in his petition, several emails and verbal agreements gave him the right to control the Mavericks’ basketball operations, while Dumont would oversee the business side, including ‘the pursuit of an integrated, destination resort casino in Dallas.’

“Instead of honoring his handshake deal, Dumont effectively turned control of the team over to former General Manager Nico Harrison, telling Cuban: ‘Why would I give you control of a $4 billion asset?’ the document said.”

The Mavericks then traded Dončić to the Lakers without Cuban’s input, which baffled pretty much everyone when it was announced. It was immediately regarded as one of the worst trades in NBA history, and it’s only looked worse over time.

Anthony Davis was the centerpiece of the deal, and he barely played for the Mavericks before they traded him to the Washington Wizards. Had Cuban been overseeing basketball operations at the time, he could have killed the trade.

Cuban definitely had his eccentricities when he was the majority owner of the Mavericks, but it’s fair to believe he would never have allowed Dallas to shoot themselves in the foot the way it did a year and a half ago.

Now, the Mavs are focused on rebuilding around phenom Cooper Flagg, who has the makings of the NBA’s next big star. The team recently ushered in a new era, hiring Masai Ujiri to run the front office and Dusty May as head coach.