Mark Cuban on Luka Doncic Long-Term Mavs Future: ‘We’ve Got to Earn That’

Although Luka Doncic still has three years remaining on his super max contract, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is fully aware of the clock that just keeps on ticking.

Nearly a full year after making an inspiring run to the Western Conference Finals, things have unraveled for the Dallas Mavericks in a big way ever since.

Instead of preparing for a first-round series with home-court advantage last last season, the Mavs find themselves scratching and clawing just for a chance to be the 10th seed in the West — the final play-in tournament spot.

What makes this season’s disappointment even worse is the fact that it has come with Luka Doncic having the best statistical year of his career.

Doncic is averaging 32.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.1 assists in 65 games while shooting 50 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. He is poised to become just the second player in NBA history to have averages of at least 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

The only other player to achieve that? Michael Jordan in the Chicago Bulls’ 1988-89 season.

Doncic has carried a massive load on his shoulders for his entire five-year career, but this season was the first time he started to show some real frustration with it. Adding Kyrie Irving has helped with the offensive burden, but losing Dorian Finney-Smith tanked the Mavs’ defense that had already been struggling before the big trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

With three years left on his contract, Doncic likely isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but Mavs owner Mark Cuban knows his front office has more work to do when it comes to building a contender around him.

"Look, players don't talk like that, just like, 'Hey, I'm here for the next 17 years,’” Cuban said before the Mavs’ win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday that potentially saved their season. “[Luka would] like to be here [his entire career], but we've got to earn that."

Although it’s easier said than done, Cuban knows exactly how his franchise can convince Doncic to spend his entire career in Dallas.

"Win championships. It's amazing how that cures all,” Cuban said. “Before Giannis [Antetokounmpo] won, everybody was like, 'Where's he going? Where's he going? He's not staying. He's not staying.' [Nikola] Jokic, while they haven't won ... Dirk [Nowitzki] before [the Mavs won it all in 2010-11], right?

"There's no great player, no superstar, where they don't question, 'What are you gonna do if you haven't won yet?"

Luckily for Cuban, Doncic is still young and hasn’t reached his prime yet. But by the time Doncic hits unrestricted free agency in 2026 or 2027, the Mavs need to be in a much better position than they’re currently in to keep their perennial MVP candidate from wanting to weigh his options.

Follow Dalton Trigg on Twitter.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here.

Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.

Catch up on the latest Mavs Step Back Podcast episodes and be sure to SUBSCRIBE: