NBA odds: Rockets’ title chances improve after Russell Westbrook trade

The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the Dallas Mavericks to the Adelson and Dumont families of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. All 29 other teams voted in favor of the sale, which valued the Mavericks at $3.5 billion. The ultimate team valuation is expected to be between $4 billion to $5 billion when factoring the Sands’ financial pledge to build a new arena.

Mark Cuban agreed to sell his majority stake in the franchise while retaining 27 percent ownership and control of basketball operations.

The parties hope to eventually build a new arena with a hotel and casino in Dallas.

Luka Doncic admitted he’s still dealing with a leg injury that he suffered shortly after the 2023 NBA All-Star Break. But Doncic said the injury won’t keep him from playing, or from being ready for the upcoming Dallas Mavericks season.

“I do not know what to say,” Doncic said about the injury. “It’s not okay. At the same time, I have to prepare for one more game, and then for a whole season in the NBA.”

Doncic went on to say he’s healthy enough to play, or he would be sitting out. The Mavs and Slovenian star also said he’s not playing because of pressure from FIBA, but because he loves representing his country.

“There is also one of the questions, but I play for Slovenia, not for FIBA,” Doncic said. “I play no matter what, even in the Olympic qualifiers, if only I’m healthy.”

Doncic also owned the criticism of Slovenia falling short of expectations, but that it hasn’t changed his desire to represent his country.

“There is a lot of criticism every day, but I have learned to live with it. I don’t think I’m the best in the world, though,” Doncic said. “I simply love playing for Slovenia and will continue to do so.”