Mark Cuban's tenure as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks was a rollercoaster of success and missed opportunities. The pinnacle of his time with the team was undoubtedly the 2011 NBA championship. Yet, Cuban openly acknowledges some missteps along the way, with one of the most significant being the decision not to draft Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013.
During a candid conversation on “The Adam Friedland Show,” Cuban reflected on the players he missed out on, highlighting Giannis as a particularly notable oversight. When asked about his biggest draft regret, Cuban pointed to Tyrese Maxey and the “Greek Freak” himself.
Back in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Mavericks had the 13th overall pick, a prime spot to select Giannis. Former GM Donnie Nelson was in favor of bringing the young talent from Greece on board.
However, Cuban had his sights set on acquiring Dwight Howard, which influenced the decision to trade down for cap flexibility. This strategy backfired when Howard signed with the Houston Rockets, leaving the Mavs without both him and Giannis, who went to the Milwaukee Bucks at 15th overall.
Instead, the Mavericks drafted Kelly Olynyk and then traded him to the Celtics, eventually ending up with Shane Larkin at the 18th pick. While Larkin showed promise, he wasn’t the transformative player needed to bolster an aging Dirk Nowitzki.
But missing out on Giannis wasn't Cuban's only regret. The decision to hire Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the trade for Luka Doncic, also came under scrutiny.
Despite Doncic's brilliance, he eventually moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving Cuban to question the moves made during Harrison's tenure. Cuban expressed his frustration, suggesting that his own son could outperform Harrison in managing the team.
The Mavericks’ recent struggles, including an early playoff exit and their current standing near the bottom of the Western Conference, further highlight the impact of these decisions. While drafting Cooper Flagg last year offers a glimmer of hope for the future, the team is still searching for a superstar presence alongside Kyrie Irving.
As the Mavericks navigate this challenging period, Cuban’s reflections serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between strategic decisions and the unpredictable nature of the NBA. With Flagg’s development showing promise, the team looks to rebound and reclaim its place among the league's elite.