As the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban presided over plenty of success with the franchise, highlighted by the 2011 NBA championship. Even so, Cuban has acknowledged that he made his share of mistakes during his tenure, especially considering the team had the opportunity to draft Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013.
During a recent appearance on The Adam Friedland Show, Mark Cuban reflected on several draft prospects the Dallas Mavericks passed on, with Giannis Antetokounmpo emerging as one of the most notable examples.
Friedland asked Cuban to reflect on his biggest draft miss and which player he most wished he had selected.
“Tyrese Maxey was a big miss for us recently. Greek Freak was probably the biggest, yeah,” answered the former Mavericks owner.
Mark Cuban and the Mavericks skipping on Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013
Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Giannis Antetokounmpo poses for a photo with NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected as the number fifteen overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
During the 2013 NBA Draft, Cuban could have chosen Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 13th overall pick. Former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson backed the decision and urged Cuban to make the selection, but the then-owner opted for a different path.
Cuban recently said the Mavericks skipped on Giannis Antetokounmpo because their primary goal that season was to land Dwight Howard. With only limited film on Antetokounmpo from Greece’s B-League, the team chose to trade down in the draft to free up salary cap space, viewing it as the smarter move at the time.
In the end, Dallas lost out on both targets: Dwight Howard signed with the Houston Rockets, while Giannis Antetokounmpo was taken 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban watches the game between the Dallas Wings and the Indiana Fever during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Holding the 13th pick, the Mavericks selected Kelly Olynyk but quickly traded him to the Celtics in exchange for the 16th pick, Lucas Nogueira. After another trade with the Hawks, Dallas landed the 18th pick, Shane Larkin, whose talent was notable but ultimately insufficient to complement an aging Dirk Nowitzki.
More than a decade later, the decision stands as one of the most costly what-ifs in Mavericks history. Cuban’s candid admission serves as a reminder that even the most successful owners aren’t immune to draft-day regret, and in the NBA, the difference between dynasty and disappointment can come down to a single pick.