The Dallas Mavericks’ front office has been under intense scrutiny following the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year. But beyond the basketball implications, former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert has raised concerns about the franchise’s leadership—specifically, its priorities.
In a recent piece for The Dallas Morning News, Leppert didn’t hold back, stating:
“Dallas fans deserve better than a billionaire owner more focused on lobbying for casino legislation than protecting the franchise.”
His words have ignited a debate about the direction of the Mavericks under Patrick Dumont, the team’s new owner, and the Adelson family, who acquired the franchise last year.
The Mavericks’ decision to trade Doncic for Anthony Davis was met with widespread backlash. Fans and analysts alike questioned the move, arguing that Dallas had given up a generational talent without receiving adequate compensation.
Leppert’s criticism goes beyond the trade itself—he suggests that the Mavericks’ ownership is more invested in expanding their casino empire than ensuring the team’s success on the court.
“This wasn’t just a bad trade. It was a betrayal and a violation of that trust,”
Leppert wrote, emphasizing that sports franchises have a responsibility to their communities.
The Adelson family, known for their vast casino holdings, has been actively lobbying for casino legislation in Texas. Leppert argues that this focus has come at the expense of the Mavericks’ basketball operations.
“What I’ve seen since Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family took over the Mavs suggests a lack of interest in the basketball operations and this community,” Leppert stated.
He further alleged that the Mavericks were being used as a business asset to further the family’s casino ambitions rather than being treated as a team with deep ties to Dallas.
Dallas fans have been vocal about their frustration, with many feeling disconnected from the franchise following the Doncic trade. The team’s failure to make the playoffs this season has only intensified concerns about its future direction.
While Dumont and the Mavericks’ front office have defended their decisions, the pressure is mounting for them to prove that they are committed to building a winning team.
Leppert’s critique raises an important question: Should sports franchises be run purely as business assets, or do they have a deeper responsibility to their communities?
For Mavericks fans, the answer is clear—they want ownership that prioritizes basketball success over external business ventures. Whether Dumont and the Adelson family will respond to these concerns remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Dallas fans are demanding accountability.
