And 24 years later, just like that, Mark Cuban is out! The Dallas Mavericks hit the off-season after the Boston Celtics closed the Finals on them with 4-1. While that is heartbreaking, what takes the cake is how fans might no longer get to see the team’s long-time owner in the stands.

According to a report by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Cuban will cease to have control over the Mavs’ operations! This seismic shift in ownership marks a new era for the franchise, with billionaire Miriam Adelson’s family taking the reins. Former Nike executive Nico Harrison will be stepping in to reshape its future that’s set to be spearheaded by Kyrie and Luka.

This ownership transition comes as Cuban sold a majority stake in the Mavs to Adelson (the 5th richest woman in America), for $3.5 billion in late 2023, relegating himself to 27%. Adelson’s son-in-law, Patrick Dumont took over the role of Governor of the team. Cuban was reportedly set to function as an alternate governor, allowing him to oversee operations, as Dumont and Adelson looked at the business side of things (like building a new arena for the team). However, some changes have rocked the organization as of late. Nico Harrison, who joined Dallas in 2021, will now be assuming full control of the operations.

This is actually surprising given how Cuban, even back in December last year, was confident of his position within the organization despite the diminished stake. As per Forbes, he had informed of his power to hire and fire coaches and sign free agents. Dumon, however, would have the ultimate say, which the businessman had also acknowledged at the time. “It’s like anything they’d have final say, for sure. He’s the governor…I’m sure we would work it out,” the Shark Tank judge had informed.

As for Harrison, he will now report to Dumont instead of the former team owner. Dumont even re-signed him on a multi-year contract extension during the playoffs this year. With Harrison’s role reimagined and Cuban out of the picture, significant changes are on the horizon for the Dallas Mavericks this off-season.

The main question now is, how will Harrison’s takeover affect the team’s future? Especially the positions of their star duo, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. In their first full season together, the Doncic-Irving duo looked to be an outstanding match. But would they be sufficient to realize the team’s championship dreams, or can fans expect changes?

After NBA Finals failure, is the future of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in doubt?

The star duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, or as Nico Harrsion likes to put it, “a Ferrari and a Monster Truck”, was vital to Dallas’ first Finals appearance since 2011, their 3rd overall. But what does the new front office have in store for the face of their franchise? It seems there’s no need to worry, as all parties have given the green signal to the foreseeable future.

Firstly, Harrison seemed to be over the moon over the two players’ form together. “The potential is limitless…Both amazing and awesome machines, but different styles, which makes us super dynamic. They can play off each other. They can play with each other. The combinations are limitless, really, and there’s not that many players in the league that are as good as those two are,” the executive had said in March, last year. Notably, during the Mavs’ match against the Minnesota Timberwolves in May this year, Irving and Doncic dropped 33 points each, which as per ESPN stat info, is the first starting backcourt in 50 years to drop at least 30 points each in three games during the postseason.

Currently, Doncic is projected to make NBA history with a salary of $70 million per season, owing to earning All-NBA honors in the 2023-24 season. After spending seven seasons in the league, he will be eligible to sign a contract worth up to $367.5 million the following season. When asked about his future with the team, Luka said he felt “great.” Despite the loss, Doncic exuded confidence and further said, “Obviously, we didn’t win Finals, but we did have a hell of a season.”

As for Kyrie, he is currently on a three-year, $120 million deal with a player option for the third year. Before he joined the Mavs, his name was linked to the Lakers multiple times. On top of that, LeBron and Kyrie recently unexpectedly expressed their wishes to play alongside each other. But will Kai forgo his place in Dallas for a chance at playing alongside his former teammate again?

Well, for now, that seems unlikely. After Dallas’ 106-88 loss in Game 5, the former Celtics player indicated his wish to stay with the team long-term, and revealed, “I see an opportunity for us to really build our future in a positive manner where this is almost like a regular thing for us, and we’re competing for championship.”

“From a spiritual standpoint, I think I enjoyed this journey more than any other season, just because of the redemption arc and being able to learn as much as I did about myself and my teammates and the organization and the people that I’m around. It’s a lot of good people here, so it makes coming to work a lot of fun,” the shooting guard further said.

Under the new front office’s direction, the Mavs’ key priorities will be sustaining their magical duo and acquiring the missing pieces to round up their team.

And while you’re here, check out what Shaq’s former manager said about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.