Mark Cuban denies Mavericks purposefully tanked to get back at Knicks: ‘Not a revenge guy’
NY Post
BOSTON — It wasn’t personal against the Knicks, according to Mark Cuban, just the business of building his NBA finalist.
By sitting their top players at the end of last season, the Mavericks increased their chances of both retaining their 2023 first-rounder and also keeping it away from the Knicks — who would’ve taken the pick as the final Kristaps Porzingis payment if it landed outside the top 10.
Asked if it felt like unintended revenge after the Knicks were caught tampering with Jalen Brunson, Cuban told The Post, “I’m not a revenge guy.”
“We never tanked anything,” the Mavericks owner said. “We just decided to play our younger players the last couple of games. But it’s [general manager] Nico Harrison’s and mine’s and [coach] Jason Kidd’s job to make the tough decisions. Nobody who decides to rebuild effectively likes it. When you play your young players, it’s not always fun. So we just felt it was time to go young.”
The NBA certainly didn’t view it as run-of-the-mill rebuilding, however, and fined the team $750,000.
The problem? The Mavericks still had an opportunity for the play-in tournament but sat Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, among others, for the final two games.
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After leaving practice early on Monday to be evaluated for a lower-body injury, Adam Edstrom did not suit up Tuesday night against the Stars.
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BOSTON — Despite no traction on a contract extension, Karl-Anthony Towns said his relationship with the Knicks front office remains strong and he hopes to continue his career with the team.
The Jets won a game on Sunday, an entertaining 27-24 victory over the Falcons on a 56-yard walk-off field goal by 41-year-old kicker Nick Folk.
Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss said he was just doing his job after a hard hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sparked tension in Monday’s game at Gillette Stadium.
Dillon Brooks found himself in a familiar place Monday night — right underneath LeBron James’ skin.
Alexey Toropchenko is the latest hockey player to miss time because of a bizarre off-ice injury, after the St. Louis Blues said he is considered week to week after sustaining burns to his legs as part of a home accident. No other details were provided.
For a rebuilding Nets team, this season isn’t just about tanking for tomorrow’s lottery pick, but also developing the young players they have today.