Could Mark Cuban’s Return as Majority Owner Reopen the Door for Luka Doncic in Dallas?
The winds of change might be swirling once again in Dallas. According to recent reports, Mark Cuban is exploring the idea of buying back the Dallas Mavericks from current majority owner Patrick Dumont, potentially alongside an investor group. And while nothing is official yet, the implications of such a move are impossible to ignore-especially when it comes to the future of one Luka Doncic.
Let’s be clear: the Mavericks haven’t been the same since Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers just over a year ago. The move stunned the fan base and left a gaping hole in the heart of the franchise.
Outside of Dirk Nowitzki, no player has ever captured the city quite like Doncic. His departure wasn’t just a basketball decision-it was an emotional gut punch for a fan base that believed he’d be the face of the franchise for the next decade.
Since then, Dallas has been in a state of flux. Dumont’s tenure as majority owner has been rocky, marked by controversial decisions and a fan base still reeling from the loss of its superstar.
The Mavericks did catch a break in the draft lottery, landing Cooper Flagg, whose talent and upside have helped keep the team afloat. But make no mistake-Flagg’s presence hasn’t erased the sting of losing Luka.
That’s where Cuban re-enters the picture. Though he sold the majority stake in the franchise, Cuban has remained involved in basketball operations.
And his relationship with Doncic? Still strong.
In fact, Cuban is one of the few Mavericks figures Doncic routinely seeks out after games against Dallas. That connection runs deep-and it matters.
Sources close to the situation have indicated that Cuban was not involved in the decision to trade Doncic, and he’s been vocal about his opposition to the move. That kind of loyalty resonates, especially with a player like Luka, who valued the trust and backing he received during his time in Dallas. If Cuban were to regain full control of the team, it could completely reshape the Mavericks’ trajectory-and potentially open the door for a Doncic reunion down the line.
Of course, there are hurdles. Doncic is under contract with the Lakers through the 2027-28 season, with a player option for 2028-29.
He could very well opt out at that point, whether to re-sign with L.A. or explore other opportunities. If that day comes, and Cuban is back at the helm in Dallas, the Mavericks would be in a much stronger position to make their pitch.
Cuban has always been known for treating his stars like royalty. During his ownership, the Mavericks were a player-first organization, and that culture helped define the team’s identity. If he regains majority ownership, that sense of stability and star-focused leadership could return-something that might appeal to Doncic after several seasons in a different environment.
There’s also the matter of optics. The trade that sent Doncic to Los Angeles remains a sore spot for Mavericks fans.
It’s a decision that Dumont ultimately signed off on, and one that has lingered over the franchise ever since. Cuban’s return could be seen as a symbolic reset-a chance to turn the page and restore the Mavericks to the identity they had during Luka’s rise.
None of this is guaranteed, of course. Dumont may not be looking to sell.
Doncic may choose to stay in L.A. long-term. But if Cuban does manage to buy back the team, it’s hard not to imagine a future where the Slovenian superstar finds his way back to the city where his NBA journey began.
Dallas would welcome him back with open arms. The fans never stopped believing. And with Cuban potentially back in charge, the Mavericks might just have the right leadership in place to bring Luka Doncic home.