Mark Cuban Reveals Communication Breakdown With Nico Harrison

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Mark Cuban Reveals Communication Breakdown With Nico Harrison 

Post#1 » by RealGM Wiretap » Wed Aug 27, 2025 4:13 pm

Mark Cuban no longer communicates directly with Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, despite hiring him in 2021 to replace Donnie Nelson. Cuban acknowledged the breakdown during an appearance on DLLS Sports, describing a fundamental shift in the team's power structure.


Cuban sold his majority stake to the Adelson/Dumont family in 2023 with plans to remain involved in basketball operations. However, he was quickly sidelined as Harrison retained control of basketball decisions while Patrick Dumont assumed the governor role.


The Mavericks initially enjoyed success under the change of ownership when they reached the 2024 Finals, but the fissures of change were fully revealed when Luka Doncic was controversially traded to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. Cuban has been openly critical of the decision by Harrison.


"You know, it's kind of a triangle," Cuban said. "It's not like Nico and I talking about it. It's Nico talking to Patrick, and I'm talking to Patrick, and it's his job to, you know, assimilate all that and make a decision."


When directly asked if he maintains the same level of communication with Harrison, Cuban replied flatly that he doesn't. The admission highlights how drastically Cuban's role has changed since the ownership transition.


Dumont approaches his position from a business perspective rather than Cuban's superfan mentality with heavy basketball involvement. Cuban expressed confidence in Dumont's championship aspirations but acknowledged their different approaches.


"I know [Dumont] cares. I have no doubt in my mind that he wants to win a championship. But he's not me, you know, and he's going to do it his own way," Cuban said.


Cuban identified the loss of direct personnel decision-making authority and communication breakdown with Harrison as the most significant changes to his role with the franchise.

Via RealGM Staff Report

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Re: Mark Cuban Reveals Communication Breakdown With Nico Harrison 

Post#2 » by TheCage4 » Wed Aug 27, 2025 5:16 pm

I'm not sure what Cuban expected in the end? He sold his majority stake in the franchise, and he honestly thought the new guys were going to keep him around?
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Re: Mark Cuban Reveals Communication Breakdown With Nico Harrison 

Post#3 » by Wildcat » Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:33 pm

TheCage4 wrote:I'm not sure what Cuban expected in the end? He sold his majority stake in the franchise, and he honestly thought the new guys were going to keep him around?


I'm confused by this, too. Doesn't seem like it was written into the deal. So ... did he go on good faith or is he just BS'ing?
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Re: Mark Cuban Reveals Communication Breakdown With Nico Harrison 

Post#4 » by beefman » Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:08 pm

TheCage4 wrote:I'm not sure what Cuban expected in the end? He sold his majority stake in the franchise, and he honestly thought the new guys were going to keep him around?


i would have thought that if i was him.
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Re: Mark Cuban Reveals Communication Breakdown With Nico Harrison 

Post#5 » by sonictecture » Thu Aug 28, 2025 2:07 am

One of the statements that was made from those on the inside was,” the Adelson’s didn’t know what they bought”. This is a way to say they didn’t know the business.

The reason Cuban was surprised by being shoved to the sidelines can be answered by his own ego. He looked at the Adelson’s and thought this married into wealth and nepo man child rubes need me. I am the Mavericks, I’m gonna have my billions and run the show.

You only need 15% to be a governor but the nba only recognizes you as the governor if you are the majority owner at 15%. Not if you own 27% and the other guy owns 73%.

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