Cuban Says Insider Helped Deliver Irving to Mavericks; Arena Plans Advance in Dallas and San Antonio, Rockets Supporters Eye West Finals
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Dallas — Former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban credited NBA reporter Shams Charania for smoothing the way for the 2023 trade that brought Kyrie Irving to Dallas, saying the journalist’s ties to Irving’s agent were pivotal.
“He was a big help with us getting Kyrie… and for us extending him,” Cuban said on the Mixed Signals podcast released August 23. Charania, then with The Athletic, also tipped Cuban on league developments while carefully guarding information about other teams, the former owner added.
Teams initially hesitated to acquire Irving because of his expiring contract and off-court issues in Brooklyn. After arriving in Dallas, the guard re-established himself as a star and helped the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals. Irving is currently rehabbing a torn ACL and hopes to return later this season.
Dallas explores new arena site
The City of Dallas has retained a commercial real-estate investment and development firm to locate land for a potential Mavericks arena. The club’s lease at American Airlines Center ends in 2031, and new ownership has signaled interest in a basketball-first venue.
Spurs outline $1.3B downtown project
Spurs managing partner Peter Holt unveiled details of a proposed $1.3 billion downtown San Antonio arena on NBA.com. The franchise pledged $500 million and responsibility for overruns; the city committed up to $489 million. The project cleared city council this week and will go before Bexar County voters in November.
G League trade
The Austin Spurs acquired the No. 13 pick in the 2025 G League draft from the Iowa Wolves. Iowa received the returning player rights to Luke Avdalovic and Justin Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2026 international selection.
Houston fan survey
Nearly two-thirds of more than 700 respondents to a survey by The Athletic anticipate the Rockets reaching at least the Western Conference Finals this season, reporter Kelly Iko wrote. The recent trade for Kevin Durant drew a 97.1 percent positive response, split between “cautiously optimistic” (50.1 percent) and “extremely excited” (47 percent).
Source: Hoops Rumors
