NBA fines Mark Cuban-owned Dallas Mavericks $750,000: Find out why

The Dallas Mavericks have been fined $750,000 by the NBA “for conduct detrimental to the league in an elimination game against the Chicago Bulls on April 7,” as announced in a news release on Friday.

According to the NBA, the Mavs violated the league’s player resting policy and made it clear through their actions and public statements that they wanted to lose the game to increase their chances of keeping their first-round pick in the 2023 NBA draft. However, the league found no evidence of the players participating in the game not playing to win.

Joe Dumars, executive vice president and head of basketball operations of the NBA, expressed his disappointment, saying, “The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to restrict key players from fully participating in an elimination game last Friday against Chicago undermined the integrity of our sport. The Mavericks’ actions failed our fans and our league.”

During the game against the Bulls, the Mavs rested several players, including healthy ones, despite being in contention for a playoff spot. Star guard Luka Doncic played only 12 minutes and 35 seconds, and the Bulls won 115-112, eliminating Dallas from the postseason.

Before the game, Dallas coach Jason Kidd stated that owner Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison had made an “organizational decision” of limiting Doncic to the first quarter and benching Kyrie Irving along with four other regulars. Kidd acknowledged that this decision was a difficult one, but the team is focused on building a championship team and hopes that it will ultimately lead to success.

By missing the playoffs, the Mavs have a chance to secure a top-10 pick in the 2023 draft. The team had traded a first-round pick that is protected picks 1-10 to the Knicks in 2019 as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade, and had they made the playoffs, the pick would have been in jeopardy and possibly gone to the Knicks. However, by finishing as one of the 10 worst teams, theMavs are unlikely to fall out of the top 10 in the draft lottery, ensuring that they will retain their first-round pick.