Mark Cuban Reveals Steve Nash Hated Him For Not Giving Him A $60 Million Contract: "That's My Biggest Mistake Ever. Not Even Close."

Credit: RVR Photos/USA Today Sports

View the original article to see embedded media.

The Dallas Mavericks just made the Western Conference Finals during the 2021-22 NBA season. The team, which won a championship thanks to the efforts of their German superstar Dirk Nowitzki, is now hoping to win a few more while they still employ the talents of Slovenian phenom Luka Doncic. And one of the biggest questions surrounding that possibility is whether they will be able to land a co-star that can help Doncic and the Mavs reach the promised land. 

The biggest 'what if' of Nowitzki's career was similar, the Mavericks were never really able to find a proper No. 2 for him. They eventually built a roster of seasoned veterans that were able to help Dirk win that elusive ring, but no true co-star ever found his way to Dallas during that time. And that's what makes one of Mark Cuban's early blunders perhaps the biggest one in franchise history. 

The Mavericks acquired Steve Nash in 1998 in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, pairing him up with Dirk Nowitzki. Both players were young and yet to truly hit their prime, but had shown glimpses of how great they would eventually be. In 2004, Nash was seeking another contract with the Mavericks, but Mark Cuban decided to lowball the point guard, who signed a deal worth over $60 million with the Suns and went on to win back-to-back MVPs. 

Mark Cuban Said Steve Nash Hated Him For Not Giving Him A New Deal In 2004

In an interview with Etan Thomas in 2020, Mark Cuban addressed the fact that he didn't pay Nash what he should originally have. He mentioned that as one of the biggest mistakes of his career, a strong take for one of the most well-loved franchise owners in the NBA. 

“That’s my biggest mistake ever. Not even close, my biggest mistake ever. He had been injured the year before and his minutes were declining, and our doctor was like, ‘He may have some issues.’ And coach [Don Nelson] was like, ‘He may have some issues.’ So we made him what we thought was a great offer, but then Phoenix came in and just beat that offer.

“I’ll never forget, because he called me up and he goes: ‘They offered me more than Mike Bibby,’ and Mike Bibby had just gotten a big contract. “And I have it down on this calendar at my office at the arena still, it says: ‘Nash: Mike Bibby Money.’ Nash hated me for a long time because of it. We're good now."

It is an odd one to look back on, because while the Mavericks suffered without Nash, possibly denying themselves many championships, Nash would retire without one. Dirk beat the Miami Heat in the 2011 Finals in legendary fashion, something Nash could have been a part of had he stayed. Cuban simply needs to ensure that he retains the talent that he can surround Luka Doncic with during the coming years. And remember that he could have made much worse deals too.