Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont, center, walks to his seat in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Dallas, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tony Gutierrez/AP
Foremost in Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont’s thoughts is excitement, hope and what he calls an extraordinary opportunity to build around 19-year-old sensation Cooper Flagg.
But as the Mavericks carry a 25-56 record into Sunday’s season finale against Chicago, Dumont also is acutely aware that a state-of-the-franchise discussion is in order – with The Dallas Morning News and by extension, fans.
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He knows that until earned otherwise, his 27-month tenure as team governor largely will be defined by the night that can’t be erased and the trade that can’t be undone – for which he says fans had every right to hold the franchise and specifically himself accountable.
“This team is about the city of Dallas,” he says. “It’s about our players doing well and our team winning, and it’s about our fans.
“I believe in our accountability. We have to work hard to make things right.”
Dumont interviews are rare, as fans have learned since the Miriam Adelson-Dumont families purchased the Mavericks’ majority interest from Mark Cuban on Dec. 27, 2023. This one is intentionally timed.
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Related: Dallas Mavericks season in review: Cooper Flagg’s arrival, Nico Harrison’s exit and more
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Sunday’s game concludes a season that began last October with high expectations but quickly crumbled into the franchise’s second 50-loss season in the last 28 years – a mere two seasons after going to the NBA Finals within Dumont’s first six months as governor.
“When expectations aren’t met, we really have to take a critical look at everything we’re doing,” he says. “We have to reflect and say, ‘How do we get better?’
“I really believe this is an extremely important offseason for this franchise. We’re going to work tirelessly to get things right. We have a lot of work to do.”
That’s his segue to the other reason behind the interview’s timing: His plan for filling the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations position. That process, which unofficially began after Nico Harrison’s Nov. 11 dismissal, is about to shift to hyperdrive.
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“Monday morning, we’re going to get active, and we’re going to talk to a lot of people,” Dumont says. “And we’re going to do our best to make sure that we find the best possible candidate to lead our basketball organization.
“Our goal is to have someone on board by the middle of May.”
Much more on the topic later, but the hire isn’t Dumont’s only franchise- and legacy-shaping opportunity in the coming weeks.
The Mavericks have set a target of July 1 for picking between two Dallas sites on which to build a new arena and 50-acre sports and entertainment district.
The basketball hire and arena decision potentially will set the franchise’s course well into the 2030s – with Flagg as the centerpiece for everything. Dumont sees that as multiple rays of hope after what he readily admits has been “a really difficult” year.
“The good news is we’re blessed to have a great young talent in Cooper Flagg,” he says. “That is really special. We’re also blessed with some really great veteran leadership, like Kyrie [Irving].
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“Having a generational talent like Cooper Flagg should give everyone confidence — our fans, our team — that we’re going to get back to the playoffs and that we’re going to try to compete for championships as soon as we can. We’re really passionate about this.”
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Kyusung Gong/AP
Mavericks’ tumultuous season
As for the difficult past year – 14 months, actually – a brief synopsis seems in order.
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On Feb. 1, 2025, the Mavericks shocked the world by trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Exactly 100 days later, on May 12, despite only 1.8% odds, Dallas won the NBA draft lottery and the ability to select Flagg.
On Oct. 28, the Mavericks sued the Dallas Stars and the NHL team countersued, a legal skirmish over control of American Airlines Center that is ongoing. On Nov. 11, after a 3-8 season start, Dumont fired Harrison, the architect of the ill-fated Doncic trade.
And on Feb. 5 of this year, acting co-general managers Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley traded the primary acquisition of the Doncic deal, Anthony Davis, to Washington in a multi-team deal that netted Dallas draft picks and salary-cap relief.
As if circumstances weren’t tumultuous enough, 27% franchise shareholder Cuban, in a late-March podcast interview, stated that while he doesn’t regret selling majority interest in the franchise, he does regret selling to the Adelson-Dumont families.
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While speaking to The News by telephone, Dumont patiently addressed most of the above and described the opportunities ahead.
Dumont’s search for team president
Along with considering internal candidates Finley and Riccardi, Dumont made it clear that the search has and will be extensive.
He says he believes Dallas, as a dynamic city and top-four media market, is a draw for candidates, as is the potential for building around 6-9 Flagg’s multidimensional talents. Then he described the intangibles he wants.
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“They’re going to set the tone for everything that we do from a basketball perspective,” he says. “We’re looking for someone who can set the direction of our basketball team, put the right pieces in place to achieve our goals and set the right culture.
“It’s got to be a culture that will lead us to win championships and someone that can build that culture.
“The other thing is, communication is key. Having the ability to communicate effectively across the organization, communicate with our fans and lead this basketball organization is going to be crucial.”
Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated reported that Dumont is aiming high. The website listed as candidates the likes of Thunder vice president Sam Presti, Celtics president Brad Stevens, Timberwolves vice president Tim Connelly and Cleveland president Koby Altman.
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During the interview with Dumont, The News expresses doubt whether Presti and Stevens in particular would be available before adding the caveat: “But you did somehow hire [Naismith Hall of Famer] Rick Welts” as CEO.
“I have to tell you, I can’t talk to any of those people now because it would be tampering. That’s against league rules. And I will never do that.
“So anything that you may have heard is just rumor and chatter. Because I actually can’t talk to anyone until I get permission.
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“So the way to think about it is we’ll do the work. We’ll figure out who’s a great leader. Who can build a great culture. Who has a track record. Who knows how to work with young players and develop them, which is crucial, because if you look at our team right now, we’re going to have a pool of great young talent, led by Cooper Flagg.
“We have draft picks. We can be active in the free agent market. We have great veterans. It needs to be a great leader and someone who can create the right culture, as I mentioned before.”
Dallas Mavericks new governor and majority owner Patrick Dumont (left) shakes hands with minority owner Mark Cuban shake hands during a first half time out at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, February 12, 2024. Mark’s wife Tiffany Stewart (center) joined in the welcome. The Mavericks were facing the Washington Wizards.
Tom Fox/Staff Photographer
Mark Cuban problem?
Cuban’s podcast comments weren’t the first he’s made since the Doncic trade that indicated dysfunction between the Mavericks’ main stakeholders.
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Read more: Mark Cuban says he regrets decision to sell Mavericks to Miriam Adelson, Patrick Dumont
There also was the unsubstantiated February report that an unidentified Dallas group approached Cuban about partnering to buy the franchise back.
Cuban at the time told The News he’s told multiple interested parties that he didn’t believe the franchise could be bought. And the Adelson-Dumont families issued a statement to The News that not only is the franchise not for sale, but the families also look forward to expanding their stake.
A provision in the 2023 sale agreement gives Adelson-Dumont the ability to buy all but 7% of Cuban’s 27% stake. Multiple people familiar with Dumont’s thinking told The News his closest advisers have encouraged him to publicly rebuke Cuban.
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But when The News asks whether he and Cuban can effectively function as partners, Dumont takes the high road.
“Mark is really passionate about the Mavericks, and I think that’s great,” Dumont says. “I think he’s really, really frustrated about the year that the team has had. And I understand that frustration.
“I consider Mark a friend. And look, I always appreciate his thoughts. And I appreciate his frustration.
“But one thing I do want to say, in terms of ownership, I think we’ve been really clear: We’re not moving the team to another city. The team is not for sale. We’re going to continue to invest in this franchise. We’re going to build a new home for the team, and hopefully in the long term we’ll be able to celebrate that success for many years.”
Suing the Stars over AAC control
The Mavericks and Stars’ leases to play in American Airlines Center expire in July 2031. The Stars are eyeing a potential move to Plano, while the Mavericks have made clear their intentions to build their own arena.
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Meanwhile, long-planned repairs and upkeep to AAC have been on hold for more than a year. With the Mavericks and Stars embroiled in litigation and control of the arena’s Center Operating Company at stake, both teams’ monthly arena disbursements have been held in escrow.
A view of Victory Plaza and the American Airlines Center in Dallas, October 29, 2025.
Tom Fox/Staff Photographer
Dumont tells The News he cannot comment about ongoing litigation or the Stars, but he emphasizes of AAC’s needed repairs and immediate future:
“The fans should not be concerned in any way. That’s the most important thing. Right now we’re focused on the AAC and making the best venue we can, for both franchises.”
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Plans for new Mavericks arena
Upgrading AAC will be at the forefront while plans for a new arena take shape. The Mavericks have narrowed potential sites to the 110-acre former Valley View Mall tract in North Dallas and downtown Dallas. One potential downtown option is the current site of City Hall — that is, if Dallas chooses to shutter the iconic but tattered structure and relocate operations.
Responding to questions from The News, Dumont gives his most expansive arena comments to date, including why having a basketball-specific arena is important.
“It’s because of the experience that it provides for our fans and the environment for our team to play in,” Dumont says. “And I think the energy and the layout that go along with the basketball-specific facility just make the experience that much better.”
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And why should the arena be part of an estimated 50-acre entertainment district?
Welts has said the district could include a new Mavericks headquarters and training facility; a 4-star hotel connected to the arena; and a separate 5,000 seat venue and partnership with Live Nation.
“I think it’s great for the city of Dallas to have a sports and entertainment center where there’s activations, not only when we have our home games, but all throughout the year,” Dumont says. “And I also think it creates a better experience for our fans to be able to have things to do before and after the game, where they can meet family and friends.
“I think it just makes the experience better. So I’m very excited about it. I think it’s great for the city of Dallas. And I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the city on this process.”
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On numerous occasions Dumont has emphasized that the Mavericks want to invest in the city of Dallas. A new arena and entertainment district certainly could be transformative for the city, but how, exactly, will the development be funded?
Would the money mostly come from the Mavericks, or the city?
“We’re committed to the city of Dallas,” Dumont said. “And we’re committed to working with the city to come up with the best location and the best structure that allows for all the different goals to be accomplished, that both the city has and the Mavericks have.
“But I can’t tell you specifically now what that will look like because we don’t have a site yet. But hopefully as we go through our work with the city, we’ll have a better understanding about what can be done.”
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Is it fair to say some of the project will be privately funded?
“I think very clearly there will be a private-funding component,” Dumont says. “The question is, ‘How does it all work together?’ There’s lots of different structures that teams use. I’ve visited a lot of different facilities and entertainment districts that have been built, and there’s all different ways to do it.
“So I think the first thing we have to start with is a location, one that works for the city, one that works for us, and then we kind of go from there.”
As Golden State’s president from 2011 to 2021, Welts was responsible for virtually every step and facet of building San Francisco’s $1.4 billion Chase Center. That’s a big reason Dumont lured Welts from retirement to replace the retiring Cynt Marshall.
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How much can Mavericks fans and the city of Dallas look to Chase Center as a potential blueprint for what might occur here?
“I’ve been to many arenas,” Dumont says. “I think Chase Center is definitely the leading benchmark, just because of the experience it provides to fans.
“The in-game experience, the viewing angles from seats. The amenities that it has. Just the area around it. When you come into the arena, you have a great experience. So I think there’s just a lot of things about Chase Center that are really good.
“But there are others,” Dumont added, citing Sacramento, New York’s Madison Square Garden and The Battery Atlanta as impressive arena/entertainment district examples.
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“There’s just a lot of arenas that are looking to create better experiences for their fans that they can enjoy on game day and on non-game days,” he says.
In roughly a month, Dumont hopes to have in place the basketball executive who will set the course for the franchise’s on-court future, and by mid-summer perhaps we’ll know where that court and arena will be in the 2030s.
All, ideally, built around Flagg. That sounds like a promising game plan for a franchise, and team governor, wanting to move on from that night and that trade and create a new narrative.