Mark Cuban Stands Up for Dirk Nowitzki and Mavericks Gamers as Protests Towards Nico Harrison Proceed
The Luka Dončić commerce nonetheless stings in Dallas. Followers are nonetheless fuming. Dirk Nowitzki’s silence became delicate disapproval. And now? The drama is boiling over. However as tensions hit a breaking level, former Dallas Mavericks proprietor Mark Cuban has stepped in to calm the storm and defend each a franchise icon and the squad nonetheless repping the town.
On Tuesday, April 15, Mavericks basic supervisor Nico Harrison doubled down on his resolution to commerce the franchise’s greatest star in years. And that didn’t sit nicely with anybody who nonetheless bleeds blue.
Mark Cuban Breaks His Silence on Dirk Nowitzki’s Feedback
With followers protesting exterior the American Airways Middle and chants of “Hearth Nico!” echoing throughout current video games, followers are at a boiling level. However Harrison made it hotter.
“My obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks,” Harrison mentioned when requested if he regretted the commerce that despatched Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. “A few of these selections are going to be unpopular, possibly to Dirk and possibly to the followers.”
Nico: “My obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks, it is what’s one of the best curiosity of the Dallas Mavericks, and that is crucial factor. A few of these selections are going to be unpopular possibly to Dirk and possibly to the followers, however my obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks.”
— tim cato (@tim_cato) April 15, 2025
That’s when Cuban, by no means shy together with his emotions, logged onto X and let the Mavs trustworthy know precisely the place he stands.
“Dirk is the Dallas Mavericks. Then, now and eternally,” Cuban wrote. “That statue can be right here eternally. Loyalty by no means fades away.”
Dirk is the Dallas Mavericks. Then, now and eternally. Nobody ought to ever overlook that.
That statue can be right here eternally.
Loyalty by no means fades away.
Tomorrow evening 15 guys will placed on a Mavericks uniform. They are going to do every part they’ll to win. For themselves, one another… https://t.co/JKCxPEMxSh
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 15, 2025
He didn’t cease there. “Tomorrow evening, 15 guys will placed on a Mavericks uniform. They are going to do every part they’ll to win. For themselves, one another, and THE FANS. Our squad has busted their ass to struggle by unbelievable adversity. They’ve my respect and help. Ought to have everybody’s.”
Cuban’s message felt like a line within the sand. Assist the gamers. Respect Dirk. Be mad if you need, however don’t let that anger get in the way in which of supporting the crew nonetheless grinding on the court docket.
Mavs Followers Livid, However Cuban Preaches Loyalty
The timing of all this couldn’t be worse — or higher, relying on the way you have a look at it.
The Mavericks play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday evening (April 16) within the 9/10 play-in recreation. They’ll have to win two play-in video games simply to punch a ticket to the 2025 NBA playoffs. In the meantime, Dončić, sporting purple and gold, is already chilling within the third seed after dropping 45 factors on Dallas in a brutal return to his outdated house court docket.
So yeah, feelings are excessive. Followers really feel betrayed, and the entrance workplace is underneath hearth, however Cuban is asking the fanbase to rise above the chaos.
“I’m a Mavs fan,” he continued. “I do know followers are upset. However don’t be upset on the gamers. Assist them. Root for them. Rally behind them. MFFL stands for Mavs Fan FOR LIFE.”
The underside line: The Dončić commerce might go down as probably the most controversial strikes in Mavericks’ historical past, however so long as Cuban’s tweeting, Nowitzki is honored. With 15 guys suiting up for the town, the struggle ain’t over. Not even shut.
