Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks before game one of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images Peter Casey-Imagn Images

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shuts down Mavericks rumor

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Austin Veazey | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 3:44 PM ET

When the Dallas Mavericks decided to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, it was such a crazy trade that all sorts of conspiracy theories popped up in the immediate aftermath. The most popular theory is that the new ownership group of Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont was looking to move the team to Las Vegas, and trading Doncic helped alienate the fanbase. They are casino moguls, so there was at least some sense behind making that connection.

But Dallas is one of the biggest television markets in the United States, much larger than Las Vegas. The Adelsons also purchased land in Irving, Texas, in hopes of building a casino resort/stadium. And NBA Commissioner Adam Silver further shut down those rumors on an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

"They're not going anywhere," Silver said. "There's no thought of them going anywhere, it's true that the group that bought the team is out of Las Vegas, but they couldn't be clearer, and I just want to make sure that there are no doubts... There were no ulterior motives there. This team is staying in Dallas, in fact, looking at building a new arena in Dallas."

"The Dallas Mavericks aren't going anywhere and that team is staying in Dallas..

They're looking at building a new arena in Dallas"

Adam Silver #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/8gfWDQTLAY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 17, 2025

Silver also reiterated that there's nothing he could've done to block the Luka Doncic trade, something he mentioned a month or so ago. People always mention the Chris Paul-Lakers trade that was blocked by David Stern, but the NBA owned the New Orleans Hornets at the time, so Stern had the final say, and he didn't think that trade was in the best interest of the team.

Mavericks CEO Rick Welts has mentioned multiple times that the team plans to be in a new arena by 2031 with all intentions being to stay in Dallas. So, while the trade may be maddening and fans may want the owners to leave, that doesn't seem like it'll happen.

This article first appeared on Dallas Mavericks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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