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Money doesn't just influence daily life — it also plays a major role in how the NBA operates, especially when contracts are on the table. Financial expectations can become such a sticking point that even long-term partnerships end up breaking down.
A good example is what happened between Steve Nash and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2004 offseason. Even though the reigning All-Star was a key player, he and the Mavericks couldn't agree on the terms of a new contract. Team owner Mark Cuban later said that both sides simply stuck to what they believed was right.
"It was Steve's choice to leave for money. It was my choice not to pay him the money,"wrote Cuban on his blog at the time, per ESPN.
When Nash joined the Mavericks in 1998, he and his buddy Dirk Nowitzki — both future Hall of Famers — quickly became the foundation of the team's transformation. The Mavs, who had struggled for years, suddenly had real hope for the future. By 2002, both players were named first-team All-Stars.
Over the next few years, "MVSteve" kept impressing with his playmaking, offensive skills, and leadership, repeatedly saying he saw Dallas as the place to finish his career. The Mavs were happy, too, and fully intended to keep their star point guard.
However, as Nash's contract approached its end after the 2003–04 season, doubts began to surface. The front office questioned whether it was wise to go all in on a 30-year-old with a history of injuries.
Although the Canadian was mostly healthy at the time, his NBA career had already been shaped by physical setbacks. There were growing concerns that those issues might return as he entered the later stages of his storied career.
While the Mavericks had their perspective, Nash, of course, had his own.
At his age, the former Santa Clara Bronco knew this was likely his last major contract, so his decision was shaped not only by basketball but also by financial realities. Cuban, a former tech entrepreneur turned billionaire, understood that better than most.
"I said that I didn't want to negotiate against ourself and play games. That if another team came in and paid him a max-like deal, what I called an extreme deal, outside the norm, then he would have to take it," reflected the Pennsylvania native.
That kind of offer came quickly. On the first day of free agency, the Phoenix Suns — Nash's team in his first two NBA seasons — made a bold move: a five-year deal with a sixth-year option worth over $65 million. The Mavericks, meanwhile, had put together a more cautious five-year offer worth $51 million.
Cuban, who had already "carefully" considered his offer, according to reports, now faced an even tougher decision: despite already having some concerns, should he match the Suns' deal and risk having less to strengthen other parts of the team — or let their 6'3" playmaker go. In the end, the now 66-year-old chose the latter.
"It wasn't easy for me. I knew it wasn't going to be easy for anyone associated with, or fans of the Mavs," he admitted.
Ultimately, Mark reflected that a few days into free agency, he got a call from the Canadian legend, who didn't mention the amount but said there was an "incredible offer from the Suns" on the table. That offer was accepted, and the five-time assist leader joined the franchise from Arizona soon after.
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A good example is what happened between Steve Nash and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2004 offseason. Even though the reigning All-Star was a key player, he and the Mavericks couldn't agree on the terms of a new contract. Team owner Mark Cuban later said that both sides simply stuck to what they believed was right.
"It was Steve's choice to leave for money. It was my choice not to pay him the money,"wrote Cuban on his blog at the time, per ESPN.
Time to say goodbye?
When Nash joined the Mavericks in 1998, he and his buddy Dirk Nowitzki — both future Hall of Famers — quickly became the foundation of the team's transformation. The Mavs, who had struggled for years, suddenly had real hope for the future. By 2002, both players were named first-team All-Stars.
Over the next few years, "MVSteve" kept impressing with his playmaking, offensive skills, and leadership, repeatedly saying he saw Dallas as the place to finish his career. The Mavs were happy, too, and fully intended to keep their star point guard.
However, as Nash's contract approached its end after the 2003–04 season, doubts began to surface. The front office questioned whether it was wise to go all in on a 30-year-old with a history of injuries.
Although the Canadian was mostly healthy at the time, his NBA career had already been shaped by physical setbacks. There were growing concerns that those issues might return as he entered the later stages of his storied career.
A final big payday
While the Mavericks had their perspective, Nash, of course, had his own.
At his age, the former Santa Clara Bronco knew this was likely his last major contract, so his decision was shaped not only by basketball but also by financial realities. Cuban, a former tech entrepreneur turned billionaire, understood that better than most.
"I said that I didn't want to negotiate against ourself and play games. That if another team came in and paid him a max-like deal, what I called an extreme deal, outside the norm, then he would have to take it," reflected the Pennsylvania native.
That kind of offer came quickly. On the first day of free agency, the Phoenix Suns — Nash's team in his first two NBA seasons — made a bold move: a five-year deal with a sixth-year option worth over $65 million. The Mavericks, meanwhile, had put together a more cautious five-year offer worth $51 million.
Cuban, who had already "carefully" considered his offer, according to reports, now faced an even tougher decision: despite already having some concerns, should he match the Suns' deal and risk having less to strengthen other parts of the team — or let their 6'3" playmaker go. In the end, the now 66-year-old chose the latter.
"It wasn't easy for me. I knew it wasn't going to be easy for anyone associated with, or fans of the Mavs," he admitted.
Ultimately, Mark reflected that a few days into free agency, he got a call from the Canadian legend, who didn't mention the amount but said there was an "incredible offer from the Suns" on the table. That offer was accepted, and the five-time assist leader joined the franchise from Arizona soon after.
Continue reading...
