The longtime Texas lake house of legendary NBA coach Don Nelson is on the market for $5 million, offering a glimpse into the private retreat where the Hall of Famer spent time with his family away from basketball.
The waterfront property, located on Cedar Creek Lake in Trinidad, Texas, was listed shortly before Nelson’s death in August 2026. The former Dallas Mavericks head coach had owned the estate for more than two decades, turning it into a sprawling family getaway that also celebrated his remarkable basketball career.
Situated on approximately 3.75 acres, the property features three separate residences capable of accommodating more than 20 overnight guests. The main house spans 4,762 square feet and includes four bedrooms, four private bathrooms, two kitchens and a four-car garage. A second residence features three additional bedrooms, while a smaller guesthouse provides extra accommodation.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature is the upstairs game room, which Nelson transformed into a personal basketball museum.
The space includes illuminated display cases that once housed memorabilia from his decades in the NBA, alongside a wooden basketball floor that doubles as a dance floor. A bar, pool table, ping-pong table and shuffleboard table complete the entertainment area. Although Nelson’s family will retain his personal memorabilia, the property is being sold furnished, with the basketball floor and game tables remaining in place.
Outside, the estate offers more than 100 feet of lake frontage, a private dock, a boathouse and expansive waterfront views. Located within the gated Beachwood Estates community, approximately an hour from Dallas, the property served as a gathering place for multiple generations of the Nelson family.
Nelson’s connection to the Dallas area extended far beyond his private residence. He coached the Mavericks from 1997 to 2005, helping transform the franchise into a Western Conference contender while developing Dirk Nowitzki and coaching Steve Nash.
Known for his unconventional offensive philosophy, Nelson became one of the most influential coaches in NBA history. He won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics and later earned three NBA Coach of the Year awards during a coaching career that spanned more than three decades.
For the Nelson family, the sale marks the end of a long chapter. What began as a lakeside retreat grew into a place where four generations gathered and where one of basketball’s most recognizable personalities could enjoy life away from the pressure of the NBA.
Now, following his passing, the property is looking for a new owner.
And while Nelson’s personal basketball collection will remain with his family, the house itself still carries unmistakable reminders of the man who made it his home.
