In the year In 2004, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban allowed Steve Nash to sign with the Phoenix Suns as a free agent, and it was the billionaire’s biggest regret.
In an exclusive interview with OSDB, Cuban discussed his experiences as an owner of the team. The 64-year-old has owned the Mavericks for 23 years.
When asked about his big chest as a team owner, Cuban said, “Maybe Steve Nash would let him go. Yes, I regret that. It’s been almost 20 years now. I still regret it.
Like a few NBA betting sites, the Mavericks in 2018 They have a top-15 chance of winning the championship in 2023. Without a strong replacement for Jalen Brunson, that seems unlikely. See which sportsbooks are expecting another playoff look.
Nash played six seasons with the Mavericks from 1998 to 2004. Interestingly, the guard was selected 15th overall by the Suns in the 1996 NBA draft.
On June 24, 1998, Mark Cuban traded Pat Garrett, Martin Mursep, Bubba Wells and a 1999 first round draft pick to the Suns for Nash. According to this package, Suns GM Bryan Colangelo was robbed.
During the 2001-02 season, Nash averaged a career-high 17.9 points per game at the time. Then, in his final season with the Mavericks, the guard averaged a then-best 8.8 assists per game.
After the Mavericks lost their 2004 first-round playoff series against the Sacramento Kings in five games, Nash waited for his new deal. Cuba didn’t give him any gifts though.
Mark Cuban believes his worst mistake was letting Steve Nash out of the Mavericks in 2004.
In the year In a 2020 interview with Ethan Thomas, the billionaire talked about his decision to let the guard walk. In fact, Nash soon admitted that he hated him.
“This is the biggest mistake I’ve ever made,” says Mark Cuban. “It’s not even close, my biggest mistake. He was injured a year ago and the minutes were decreasing, and our doctor said, ‘There might be some problems.’
“And coach [Don Nelson] It was ‘may have some issues’. So we made him what we thought was a good offer, but Phoenix came in and beat that offer.
“I will never forget it; Because he called me and said, ‘They gave me more than Mike Bibby,’ and Mike Bibby had a big contract.
“And I put it on this calendar in my office at the arena, it says, ‘Nash: Mike Bibby Money.’ Nash hated me for that for a long time. Now we’re good.”
Additionally, Nash won two MVPs with the Suns. Additionally, he earned three All-NBA First-Team selections (2005–07) and two All-NBA Second-Team honors (2008, 2010).
During his time with the Suns, Nash also led the league in assists five times (2005–07, 2010, 2011). In 2021, the guard was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. And the Suns inducted him into the franchise ring of honor.
Mark Cuban is royally messed up. This is a huge understatement. However, all that is in the past now. All Cubans can do is learn from their mistakes.
For the good news: At least the Mavericks won their first championship in the 2011 NBA Finals, defeating the Miami Heat. Not to mention, Dirk Nowitzki has spent his entire 21 year career in Dallas.
