By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Selecting players in the annual NBA draft is certainly a complicated process, especially with limited resources to effectively scout a prospect. Back in 2013, such a case emerged with NBA teams considering Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, then principal owner of the franchise, Mark Cuban discussed the 2013 NBA draft and passing on Giannis.
“Some of our people wanted to go for Giannis. I wanted to trade down and we ended up getting Shane Larkin, not so much because of Shane, but we needed that cap room to go out and try to sign somebody to propel Dirk. We wanted to go for the gold again,” he explained during an appearance on Club Shay Shay with host Shannon Sharpe.
Shane Larkin was the 18th pick of the draft, while Giannis was picked up by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 15th pick.
“It is just the way it worked out,” mentioned Cuban.
Coming out of those decisions, the Mavericks suffered first-round exits in the Playoffs through the next three seasons. After missing the Playoffs entirely in 2017 and 2018, they ended up selecting Luka Doncic with the third pick of the 2018 draft.
“Had we gotten Giannis, we’d never gotten Luka,” noted Cuban, projecting much better team showings if the Greek international was on board.
“It was my team. It was my responsibility. My final decisions for better or for worse,” he added.
On the podcast appearance, he talked about many more topics, including Klay Thompson moving his talents to Dallas.