Power Struggle Inside Mavericks Detailed: Cuban Regains Influence After Harrison Ouster
SLUG: mavericks-power-struggle-cuban-harrison-dumont
CONTENT:
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, citing interviews with more than a dozen team insiders, published an extensive report on November 19, 2025 outlining how a months-long battle for authority inside the Dallas Mavericks led to last week’s dismissal of president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison.
According to the story, friction began after Mark Cuban hired Harrison in 2021, when Cuban still controlled the franchise and retained final say on personnel moves. That dynamic shifted in late 2023, when Cuban sold a controlling stake to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont but kept 27 percent of the club and hoped to continue directing basketball operations.
Sources told MacMahon that Dumont quickly asserted himself. “Mark is a friend. I will consult him from time to time,” Dumont said during an early basketball-operations meeting, per those present. “But make no mistake about this: I’m the governor of the team and I am making decisions.” The stance reportedly pleased Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd, who had grown frustrated with Cuban’s hands-on approach.
Individuals familiar with Cuban’s thinking countered that the longtime owner never intended to grant Harrison full autonomy, believing the former Nike executive lacked front-office experience. During Harrison’s first two seasons, Cuban continued to approve all transactions, and veteran executive Dennis Lindsey was hired to offset Harrison’s inexperience.
Once Lindsey departed for Detroit and Harrison became the primary decision-maker, Cuban attempted to reclaim influence. One team source described Cuban’s effort as “a palace coup.” He now again has Dumont’s ear following Harrison’s exit.
Key developments cited by ESPN
Harrison cut Cuban out of the loop. After Dumont assumed the governor role, Harrison reported directly to him and sought to avoid Cuban. “Dude, I don’t want to deal with Mark anymore. He’s too much,” a source quoted Harrison as saying.
Blame for roster missteps. Harrison and members of the coaching staff faulted Cuban for losing Jalen Brunson in free agency and trading for Christian Wood, a player Kidd did not want.
Trade-deadline success bolstered Harrison. Deals for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford at the 2024 deadline helped propel Dallas to the NBA Finals, strengthening Harrison’s argument that operations would run smoother without Cuban. Those trades came together only after a proposed package of two first-round picks for Kyle Kuzma collapsed.
Communication breakdown. Despite Dumont’s request to keep Cuban involved, Harrison limited contact. Sources said Harrison filtered information, telling Dumont what he “wanted the team governor to know, rather than everything he needed to know.”
Push to trade Luka Dončić. In February, Harrison persuaded Dumont to explore moving the All-NBA guard, contending a projected $345 million super-max deal was risky due to conditioning issues and recurring calf strains. Harrison also advised keeping Cuban out of the discussions to prevent leaks.
Cuban’s counteroffensive. After publicly opposing a Dončić trade and watching the Mavericks land the No. 1 pick in May, Cuban lobbied Dumont for a front-office shakeup. His critique gained traction as the club, short on ball-handling and playmaking, slipped to the league’s second-worst offense.
Current power structure. Cuban’s relationship with Dumont remains cordial, and he has reentered the governor’s inner circle alongside Kidd and co-interim general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. One source said Cuban functions more as a consultant than a decision-maker, but added, “He’s walking around on air right now.”
The Mavericks have not announced a timeline for hiring a permanent head of basketball operations.
Source: HoopsRumors
