Now, all 29 GM's know about The Cuban Rules, which were enacted very quietly last summer in a reaction to Dallas' owner going on a spending spree for players' perks. The two pages of rules prohibit teams from using personal or team planes in the recruiting process. What used to be a standard practice has changed to where they can only provide four first-class tickets, as was the case when the Knicks had Brian Grant come to town last summer for a visit. Cuban says the rules won't cramp his style. The league is a pretty close knit.
Players visit every city, they talk to each other, they ask and answer questions.
We recruit free agents by treating our players well. We treat all 15 guys on our roster the same, as if they were the No. 1 guy. Ask guys around the league who treats their players the best and which teams are the best places to play, and this year you will hear the Mavs' name come up. Considering that for 10 years we were at the bottom of the list, to go to the top during the season indicates that what you spend to fly in a free agent is not the important investment. New rules changed are expected to pass when owners vote Thursday.