NBA debate: The legacy of LeBron’s Decision

Mark Cuban has agreed to sell a majority stake of the Dallas Mavericks to Mirian Adelson for a valuation in the range of $3.5 billion, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic. The initial reporting on the Adelson family’s purchase was by Marc Stein.

Cuban will retain shares in the Mavericks and also full control of basketball operations while also remaining governor. Cuban purchased the Mavericks in 2000 for $285 million.

The Adelson family is selling almost $2 billion in stock in the Las Vegas Sands Corp., “to fund the purchase of a majority interest in a professional sports franchise pursuant to a binding purchase agreement, subject to customary league approvals,” according to an SEC filing.

The Sands group, led by Adelson and her son-in-law and company president, Patrick Dumont, has previously had discussions with Cuban about building a casino entertainment district in Dallas that would include a new arena for the Mavericks.

There’s been a lot made about LeBron James desire to play with his son Bronny in the NBA. The elder James once said that was a goal of his before his career ends. Now, it seems like both father and son, and their representatives, are focused on each having success independently.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that after conversations with Rich Paul, he no longer believes that LeBron James is insisting he has to play with Bronny.

“The idea of them playing together is not a priority, it’s not foremost, at least any longer, in LeBron James’ mind,” Wojnarowski reported.

That seems to indicate that LeBron James and his agent Rich Paul will do what’s best for him without forcing a team to draft his son in the 2024 NBA Draft.

As for Bronny James, the priority is to get him in the best situation for his own development.

“Rich Paul’s goal here in the pre-draft process for Bronny James is to see if there’s the right developmental system or organization, a place that can take a young player like Bronny James, who went five months without playing after his heart episode certainly limited him in his season at USC,” Wojnarowski said. “If he does go in the draft, he very likely would spend next year in the G League.”