Mark Cuban Reveals How Close Kobe Bryant Was To Joining The Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks owner details a near-miss trade that would have paired Kobe Bryant with Dirk Nowitzki.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:34pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the silhouettes of basketball players in motion, representing the 'what-if' scenario of Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki playing together on the Dallas Mavericks.A cubist interpretation of the potential Kobe Bryant-Dirk Nowitzki partnership that never materialized in Dallas.Dallas Today

In a recent podcast interview, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recounted how close he came to trading for NBA superstar Kobe Bryant back in 2007. Cuban said he had a deal in place with the Los Angeles Lakers that would have sent Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and two first-round picks to LA in exchange for Bryant, but the trade ultimately fell through when Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak convinced Bryant to stay in LA.

Why it matters

The potential Kobe-Dirk duo in Dallas would have been one of the most formidable pairings in NBA history, potentially altering the trajectory of both franchises. The failed trade highlights Cuban's aggressive pursuit of star players to pair with Nowitzki, as the Mavericks have long sought that elusive second superstar to complement their franchise cornerstone.

The details

According to Cuban, the trade discussions happened while he was appearing on the TV show 'Dancing with the Stars' in 2007. Cuban said he was communicating with Kobe's agent Rob Pelinka, who indicated Kobe was ready to leave the Lakers. Cuban then spoke with Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who was willing to approve the trade. However, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak was able to convince Kobe to stay in LA, and the deal fell through.

  • In 2007, Kobe Bryant was ready to leave the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • Mark Cuban was appearing on 'Dancing with the Stars' at the time of the trade discussions.
  • The proposed trade would have sent Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and two first-round picks from the Mavericks to the Lakers in exchange for Kobe Bryant.

The players

Mark Cuban

The owner of the Dallas Mavericks, who was actively pursuing a trade for Kobe Bryant in 2007.

Kobe Bryant

The superstar shooting guard who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for his entire 20-year NBA career.

Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks' franchise player, who Cuban said would have been willing to be traded to acquire Kobe Bryant.

Jerry Buss

The owner of the Los Angeles Lakers at the time, who was willing to approve the trade that would have sent Kobe Bryant to the Mavericks.

Mitch Kupchak

The general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, who was able to convince Kobe Bryant to stay with the team and ultimately scuttled the proposed trade.

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What they’re saying

“It was 2007, Kobe was ready to get out. And I was on Dancing with the Stars. Google me. I didn't win. There was a dude named Elvis who was a production assistant, right? And he was just Kobe love everything.”

— Mark Cuban, Owner, Dallas Mavericks

“You can trade me. I would trade me for Kobe, too.”

— Dirk Nowitzki, Player, Dallas Mavericks

What’s next

The failed Kobe Bryant trade remains one of the biggest 'what-ifs' in Mavericks history, as the pairing of Bryant and Nowitzki could have altered the NBA landscape. Fans can only wonder how the careers of both superstars may have unfolded had the trade gone through.

The takeaway

This near-miss trade highlights Mark Cuban's relentless pursuit of superstar talent to pair with Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks' franchise player. While the deal ultimately fell through, it demonstrates the lengths Cuban was willing to go to build a championship contender in Dallas.