The Best and Worst NBA Owners

Players come and go. Coaches come and go. Even fans come and go. But owners can last forever with franchises being passed on from generation to generation and staying within families for decades. That’s why strong ownership is key to having a successful NBA franchise.

Being a good owner can manifest itself in many different ways. The most apparent is the personnel on a team with players, coaches or basketball staff. It’s also how an owner interacts with the fan base and how willing they are to spend money on facilities and arena upgrades.

The best owners earn positive grades in every area while the worst owners treat their teams as assets and only view them in terms of profits instead of wins and losses.

Here’s how every NBA owner ranks.

Note: Stats are through the end of the 2018-19 season.

30. James Dolan, New York Knicks

Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan, second from left, has owned the New York Knicks since 1997. Mary Altaffer / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 22 years (1997-present)

Purchase price of team: $300 million

Current value of team: $4 billion

Net worth: $1.5 billion

Source of wealth: Cablevision

Team record: 742-1014, .423 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: James Dolan is the worst of the worst.

He’s been named in sexual harassment lawsuits filed by former executives, bullied former beloved Knicks players, threatened fans and accused them of being alcoholics (when he’s had his own substance abuse problems), and had David Stern say his team is “not a model of intelligent management.”

All of the above doesn’t even include the basketball decisions such as giving Allan Houston a $100 million deal or cycling through 10 head coaches.

The Knicks are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history and play in “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” but they have been, literally, the worst team in the NBA since Dolan took over in 1997 as they have a league-worst .423 winning percentage.

29. Glen Taylor, Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves team owner and printing company billionaire Glen Taylor in 2014. Ann Heisenfelt / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 24 years (1995-present)

Purchase price of team: $88.5 million

Current value of team: $1.3 billion

Net worth: $2.7 billion

Source of wealth: Taylor Corporation

Team record: 835-1085, .435 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Apart from the Timberwolves having the fourth-worst win percentage in the league during his tenure, Glen Taylor also committed two acts which land him near the bottom of this list.

He pissed off the franchise’s greatest player, Kevin Garnett, by reneging on a handshake deal to include Garnett in a potential ownership group.

Taylor also spearheaded one of the biggest embarrassments in NBA history when he and then-general manager Kevin McHale attempted to circumvent the salary cap in 2000. They promised Joe Smith a future multi-million contract in exchange for Smith first signing several below-market deals.

As a result, the NBA barred Taylor for one year, fined the team $3.5 million and took away five future first-round picks. It was the biggest discipline the NBA had ever handed down to an owner until Donald Sterling took the cake in 2014.

28. Gayle Benson, New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans principal owner Gayle Benson in 2018. David Zalubowski / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 7 years (2012-present)

Purchase price of team: $338 million

Current value of team: $1.2 billion

Net worth: $2.9 billion

Source of wealth: New Orleans Saints

Team record: 251-323, .437 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: The Benson family has owned the Pelicans since 2012 with Gayle Benson taking over after her husband, Tom Benson, passed away in 2018.

The only thing on her resume since she took over is the disastrous handling of the Anthony Davis trade situation. One of the nuggets that emerged after Davis’ trade request was that he was dissatisfied with the organization because they prioritized the New Orleans Saints, which are also owned by Benson, over the Pelicans.

All you have to do is look at the records of the two teams over the Bensons’ reign, and you likely would agree with Davis.

27. Robert Sarver, Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver during a game against the Indiana Pacers in 2010. Matt York / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 15 years (2004-present)

Purchase price of team: $404 million

Current value of team: $1.5 billion

Net worth: $400 million

Source of wealth: Southwest Value Partners

Team record: 604-610, .498 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Robert Sarver took over in 2004, so he was in charge of the Suns’ successful “Seven Seconds or Less Era.” But the credit for that should go to Steve Nash, Mike D’Antoni and the Colangelos while the blame for the hideousness known as the Suns since then should rightfully go to Sarver.

Phoenix hasn’t made the postseason in nine years, are routinely among the worst in attendance and, perhaps most damning, have an owner who threatens to relocate if taxpayers don’t pony up. In 2018, Sarver said if his arena doesn’t get $230 million in renovations, he’ll move the team to Las Vegas or Seattle.

Seeing the product that Sarver trots out for fans, that statement seems more like a threat to Las Vegas and Seattle than it does to Phoenix.

26. Vivek Ranadive, Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings owner and chairman Vivek Ranadive talks with Kings forward Vince Carter after a game in 2018. Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 6 years (2013-present)

Purchase price of team: $534 million

Current value of team: $1.6 billion

Net worth: $700 million

Source of wealth: TIBCO Software

Team record: 188-304, .382 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: The Kings are on a 13-year postseason drought, and nearly half of those seasons have come since Ranadive took charge.

He hired Vlade Divac as the team’s general manager and, despite a less-than-stellar track record, has stuck with Divac and even gave him an extension in 2019.

But perhaps Ranadive’s biggest faux pas came when he, in all seriousness, proposed an idea where the Kings would cherry-pick during games. He wanted to keep one player on the offensive end of the court at all times even though his team would be on a 4-on-5 disadvantage at the other end.

That proposal has not been implemented yet — but there’s still time.

25. Clay Bennett, Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder chairman Clay Bennett, right, before a news conference to announce Billy Donovan as the team’s head coach in 2015. Sue Ogrocki / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 13 years (2006-present)

Purchase price of team: $325 million

Current value of team: $1.5 billion

Net worth: $400 million

Source of wealth: Dorchester Capital Corporation

Team record: 589-461, .561 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: The OKC Thunder have been more successful than their predecessor, the Seattle Supersonics. But no matter how many championships the Thunder may win, Bennett will never be able to shake the relocation of the team from Seattle.

Teams move all the time, but not very often do relocations alone garner their own Wikipedia pages. What makes the Supersonics’ relocation so juicy is that Bennett promised in good faith to try to keep the team in Seattle when he purchased it, but emails sent among members of his group say otherwise.

Seattle residents and former Supersonics owner Howard Schultz feel they were duped and lied to, and the city has been longing for an NBA team ever since.

24. Dan Gilbert, Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert in 2018. Tony Dejak / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 14 years (2005-present)

Purchase price of team: $375 million

Current value of team: $1.3 billion

Net worth: $6.7 billion

Source of wealth: Rock Financial

Team record: 599-533, .529 winning percentage

Championships: 1 (2016)

Bottom line: This entire summary should be written in Comic Sans.

When NBA fans hear the name “Dan Gilbert,” the first thing they think of is that scathing letter written after LeBron James’ departure to Miami. That wasn’t becoming of an NBA owner, much less a billionaire and one of the richest people on the planet.

Gilbert’s entire success as an owner coincides with James playing in Cleveland, and while Gilbert may own the Cavaliers, his heart lies in his hometown of Detroit. That has to make his entire Cavs staff feel a little uneasy and wonder if he would ever jump at the opportunity to give up the Cavs to own the Pistons if given the chance.

In May 2019, Gilbert suffered a stroke but reportedly is doing well.

23. Mikhail Prokhorov, Brooklyn Nets

Mikhail Prokhorov in 2016. Seth Wenig / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 9 years (2010-present)

Purchase price of team: $365 million

Current value of team: $2.4 billion

Net worth: $9.8 billion

Source of wealth: Investments

Team record: 288-434, .399 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: In 2010, Mikhail Prokhorov made a bold statement, “I have said that if the Nets don’t win the NBA championship within five years, I will punish myself by getting married.” We are now in Year 9, and the Nets still don’t have a championship, and Prokhorov still doesn’t have a wife.

As a self-made billionaire, Prokhorov had reason to be confident, but he found out this basketball thing is tougher than it looks. The Nets have had six coaches and just one postseason series victory since Prokhorov took over.

What’s keeping Prokhorov from ranking even worse was the successful rebranding of the New Jersey Nets into the Brooklyn Nets, although much of that credit goes to former minority owner Jay-Z.

Prokhorov won’t get an opportunity to make good on his promise since he plans to sell his 51 percent share of the team to Joseph Tsai, the co-founder of Chinese internet company Alibaba, giving the Taiwanese-Canadian billionaire sole ownership of the Nets.

22. Michael Jordan, Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan in 2017. Chuck Burton / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 9 years (2010-present)

Purchase price of team: $175 million

Current value of team: $1.3 billion

Net worth: $1.9 billion

Source of wealth: Endorsements/Chicago Bulls

Team record: 297-425, .411 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: In terms of being “hands-on,” no owner in all of major North American team sports is more hands-on than Michael Jordan for the simple fact that he’s practiced with the team. Jordan also routinely sits on the Hornets’ bench at home games.

However, Jordan’s competitive spirit hasn’t rubbed off on the current Hornets. They haven’t won a playoff series in over 15 years as small-market Charlotte struggles to attract top free agents.

But Jordan does deserve credit for rebranding the team name and bringing back the Hornets to replace the Bobcats.

21. Jeanie Buss (Buss Family Trusts), Los Angeles Lakers

Jeanie Buss, left, in 2013. Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 40 years (1979-present)

Purchase price of team: $20 million

Current value of team: $3.7 billion

Net worth: $20 million

Source of wealth: Real estate investments

Team record: 1969-1263, .609 winning percentage

Championships: 10

Bottom line: The Buss family has owned the Lakers since 1979 while Jeanie Buss has been in charge since 2013. The Lakers have been the most successful franchise in terms of championships, but much of that came under her father, Jerry Buss.

Things haven’t gone as well with Jeanie in charge, and the impossible has happened: The Lakers have become a laughingstock.

They were laughed at after giving a broken-down Kobe Bryant a $48.5 million contract extension. They were laughed at when Jeanie fired her own brothers and replaced them with Magic Johnson only for Johnson to unexpectedly resign after two years. They were laughed at when the franchise was fined for tampering with Paul George, and then they didn’t even sign the Los Angeles native.

The Lakers are still the Lakers, but a bit of the luster has worn off in recent years.

20. Ted Leonsis, Washington Wizards

Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, left, with point guard John Wall in 2017. Nick Wass / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 9 years (2010-present)

Purchase price of team: $551 million

Current value of team: $1.6 billion

Net worth: $1.1 billion

Source of wealth: AOL

Team record: 327-395, .453 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Say what you want about the middling product known as the Washington Wizards, but you can’t deny that Ted Leonsis cares about the fans.

He has promised that his team will “never ever tank” even if that would better set up the Wizards for the future. Leonsis also has welcomed emails from fans regarding everything from roster construction to the type of ketchup used in concession stands.

The Wizards have been good enough to win playoff series some years and bad enough to miss the postseason in others. Through it all, Leonsis has stuck to his word of being a fan-centric owner.

19. Tom Gores, Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, standing, cheers during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019. Paul Sancya / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 8 years (2011-present)

Purchase price of team: $325 million

Current value of team: $1.3 billion

Net worth: $4.1 billion

Source of wealth: Platinum Equity

Team record: 276-364, .431 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Tom Gores had big shoes to fill after becoming just the third owner in Pistons history — the other two are in the Hall of Fame.

But Gores hasn’t continued the winning tradition. His teams have yet to win a playoff game under his reign while they’ve shuffled through four head coaches. He’s also cycled through three GMs in that same amount of time, a sign of instability at the top of the organization.

Gores’ one saving grace is moving the Pistons to downtown Detroit and Little Caesars Arena, which makes Detroit the only city with all four of its pro sports teams in its downtown district.

18. Marc Lasry/Wes Edens, Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry in 2017. Aaron Gash / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 5 years (2014-present)

Purchase price of team: $550 million

Current value of team: $1.4 billion

Net worth: $1.8 billion (Lasry), $2.5 billion (Edens)

Source of wealth: Investments

Team record: 220-190, .537 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Most people are defined by what they have done lately, and the 2018-19 season may make the Bucks’ ownership duo look better than they really are.

That season was a breakout one for the franchise thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s progression, but the “Greek Freak” was drafted by the prior regime, and Milwaukee has been a .500 team otherwise.

The best move that Marc Lasry and Wes Edens made was getting approval for a new arena in Milwaukee. Without it, the NBA would have purchased the team from the duo and relocated it to Las Vegas or Seattle.

17. Tony Ressler, Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks owner Tony Ressler in 2015. Todd Kirkland / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 4 years (2015-present)

Purchase price of team: $850 million

Current value of team: $1.3 billion

Net worth: $2 billion

Source of wealth: Ares Management L.P.

Team record: 144-184, .439 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Tony Ressler and the minority owners, which include Grant Hill, took over from former owner Bruce Levenson after he sent out a racially tinged email to a Hawks employee. Thus, the current ownership had nowhere to go but up in terms of how they are received by fans.

Hill has become the face of the current Hawks ownership group and is about as likable as any player in NBA history. The team is currently undergoing a rebuild after making 10 straight playoff appearances from 2008-17, but they appear to be headed in the right direction with burgeoning star Trae Young.

16. Ann Walton Kroenke, Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets owner Ann Walton Kroenke. jtgjamesgoss / Instagram

Tenure as owner: 19 years (2000-present)

Purchase price of team: $202 million

Current value of team: $1.4 billion

Net worth: $6.7 billion

Source of wealth: Walmart

Team record: 806-736, .523 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: While the Kroenke family has owned the Nuggets since 2000, Ann Walton Kroenke just took the reins from her husband, Stan Kroenke, in 2015.

Since then, the Nuggets have increased their win total each season while Ann Walton has let her son and team president, Josh, handle the day-to-day operations.

The Nuggets are a small-market team that usually doesn’t attract top free agents, so they do deserve credit for luring four-time All-Star Paul Millsap to the Mile High City.

15. Dick DeVos, Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic owner Dick DeVos, left, with his wife, Betsy DeVos, U.S. Secretary of Education, in 2018. Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 28 years (1991-present)

Purchase price of team: $85 million

Current value of team: $1.3 billion

Net worth: $5.5 billion

Source of wealth: Amway

Team record: 1109-1139, .493 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: With its small-market location and lack of recent success, the Magic might be the most obscure NBA franchise.

Under Dick DeVos’ ownership, the team has had peaks and valleys and appears to be on the upswing again.

The varying success of the team since 1991 bares out in the standings as Orlando has close to a .500 record over that span.

So DeVos’ placement on this list is fitting as he’s right in the middle of the pack.

14. Robert Pera, Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera in 2012. Lance Murphey / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 7 years (2012-present)

Purchase price of team: $377 million

Current value of team: $1.2 billion

Net worth: $6.9 billion

Source of wealth: Ubiquiti Networks

Team record: 301-273, .524 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Peyton Manning and Justin Timberlake are among the many Grizzlies minority owners, which allows Robert Pera to float in the background. But even with that, he helped transform Memphis into a perennial playoff contender in the West.

The three most successful seasons in franchise history came in Pera’s first three seasons, and the team created the grit ‘n’ grind era that is symbolic of Memphis as a whole.

13. Joshua Harris, Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers owner Joshua Harris in 2011. Matt Rourke / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 8 years (2011-present)

Purchase price of team: $287 million

Current value of team: $1.7 billion

Net worth: $3.5 billion

Source of wealth: Apollo Global Management

Team record: 247-393, .386 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Thanks to “The Process,” the Sixers’ winning percentage is among the worst over Joshua Harris’ span, but that plan is coming into fruition, and it seems to be worth it.

The franchise was ridiculed and shamed, which led the NBA to change its rules regarding tanking, so “The Process” may end up being a one-time thing instead of a blueprint for other teams.

Now that the rebuilding part of the plan is over, Harris and the Sixers seem to be willing to push all of their chips into the middle of the table to bring Philly a title.

They have mortgaged much of their future in trades in order to win now, and after everything the Sixers fans have been through, attempting to win now is the right decision.

12. Herbert Simon, Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon in 2017. Michael Conroy / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 36 years (1983-present)

Purchase price of team: $10.5 million

Current value of team: $1.4 billion

Net worth: $3.4 billion

Source of wealth: Real estate development

Team record: 1503-1400 record, .518 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Herbert Simons keeps a low profile, which is something players love, and he’s committed to keeping the team in small-market Indianapolis, which the fans love.

The Pacers have always been a playoff contender under Simons, but not necessarily a title contender.

Nevertheless, the Pacers have been in the NBA’s “middle class” during most of Simon’s reign, and that’s better than what most NBA teams can say.

11. Jody Allen (Estate of Paul Allen), Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers owner Jody Allen at a playoff game in 2019. Craig Mitchelldyer / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 31 years (1988-present)

Purchase price of team: $70 million

Current value of team: $1.6 billion

Net worth: $26 billion

Source of wealth: Microsoft

Team record: 1409-1085 record, .565 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Jody Allen took over following the death of her brother, Paul Allen, in 2018. Under the Allens’ reign, the Blazers have been good but not great, which seems to be the ceiling for every small-market team not named the San Antonio Spurs.

Portland isn’t a top destination for NBA free agents, and many of stars that the team had such as Clyde Drexler, Rasheed Wallace and LaMarcus Aldridge all exited at some point.

But the Blazers have been as consistent over the last 31 years, and just five other teams have better win percentages than Portland.

10. Tilman Fertitta, Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta congratulates Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul following a playoff win over the Utah Jazz in 2019. Rick Bowmer / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 2 years (2017-present)

Purchase price of team: $2.2 billion

Current value of team: $2.3 billion

Net worth: $4.7 billion

Source of wealth: Landry’s Inc.

Team record: 118-46, .720 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: The NBA’s newest owner, Tilman Fertitta purchased the Rockets for $2.2 billion, setting a record for the most money ever spent to buy a team.

He’s still new on the job, but the results so far have been impressive with back-to-back 50-win seasons for the Rockets, including a franchise-record 65 wins in 2017-18.

Fertitta is also willing to dig deep into his pockets for the sake of the ballclub. In 2018, he lured defensive guru Jeff Bzdelik out of retirement with a hefty raise in order to help fortify the team’s defense.

9. Gail Miller, Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller in 2017. Rick Bowmer / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 34 years (1985-present)

Purchase price of team: $24 million

Current value of team: $1.4 billion

Net worth: $1.4 billion

Source of wealth: Larry H. Miller dealerships

Team record: 1610-1130, .588 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: Larry H. Miller bought the Jazz in 1985, and his widow, Gail, has been running things since Larry’s death in 2009.

Utah hasn’t reached the same success over the last decade as they did during the Stockton-Malone-Sloan era, but they’ve remained competitive despite their best players like Deron Williams and Gordon Hayward leaving.

Gail Miller also deserves credit for putting her foot down in the wake of Russell Westbrook being racially taunted while playing in Utah. Miller addressed the Utah crowd, deplored any who make those kinds of taunts and permanently banned the fan who taunted Westbrook.

8. Steve Ballmer, Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, center, watches a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016. Ringo H.W. Chiu / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 5 years (2014-present)

Purchase price of team: $2 billion

Current value of team: $2.2 billion

Net worth: $41.2 billion

Source of wealth: Microsoft

Team record: 250-160, .610 winning percentage

Championships: 0

Bottom line: If this list was ranked based on passion and enthusiasm, the Clippers and Steve Ballmer would be No. 1. And if Donald Sterling was still the team’s owner and this list was based on ethics, the Clippers would rank No. 30.

But Ballmer has continued the masterful turnaround that Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Doc Rivers started, and Los Angeles is no longer just a Lakers town.

Ballmer also deserves credit for luring Hall of Famer Jerry West away from the Warriors’ front office and then helping nab both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the biggest power move since LeBron formed the Heatles.

All Ballmer and the Clippers are missing are championship banners like their Staples Center co-tenants the Lakers. For now, he is the best owner without an NBA title.

7. Larry Tanenbaum, Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors owner Larry Tanenbaum, left, celebrates with players after his team beat the Golden State Warriors to win the 2019 NBA title. Tony Avelar / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 21 years (1998-present)

Purchase price of team: $400 million

Current value of team: $1.7 billion

Net worth: $1.5 billion

Source of wealth: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

Team record: 835-839 record, .499 winning percentage

Championships: 1

Bottom line: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is the owner of the Raptors, and Larry Tanenbaum is the chairman of MLSE.

The Raptors have had moderate peaks and valleys in their relatively short history with the Vince Carter Era, the Chris Bosh Era and the Derozan/Lowry Era, but everything changed when Tanenbaum rolled the dice and traded for Kawhi Leonard. Besides the fact that Leonard was coming off a mysterious injury, Tanenbaum knew that Leonard was likely only a one-year rental, but the move paid off in the best way possible with an NBA championship.

Additionally, the Raptors have played a huge part in raising the popularity of basketball in Canada over the last two decades, and that has manifested itself with many current players being from the country.

6. Jerry Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in 2013. Scott Eisen / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 24 years (1985-present)

Purchase price of team: $16.2 million

Current value of team: $2.9 billion

Net worth: $1.6 billion

Source of wealth: Real estate

Team record: 1470-1270, .536 winning percentage

Championships: 6

Bottom line: Unlike former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, who said that organizations win championships, owner Jerry Reinsdorf believed that players drove the team.

He mandated that the Bulls compete for titles every year that Michael Jordan was a part of the team, much to the chagrin of Krause, who wanted to rebuild.

The Bulls have struggled post-Jordan, which means that Reinsdorf hasn’t really gotten the credit he deserved for the team’s success during the 1990s.

But the fact remains that he’s one of a handful of NBA owners to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

5. Joe Lacob, Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob in 2018. Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 9 years (2010-present)

Purchase price of team: $450 million

Current value of team: $3.5 billion

Net worth: $1.5 billion

Source of wealth: Investments

Team record: 479-243, .663 winning percentage

Championships: 3

Bottom line: Three years ago, Joe Lacob infamously said the Warriors were “light-years ahead” of the rest of the league. While he received some ridicule for his outlandish comment, the quote has been pretty accurate considering the team’s success.

The Warriors are a cut above every other NBA team, and even with Kevin Durant’s departure, there are no signs of anyone knocking them off their perch.

Apart from the product on the floor and the team’s success, the Warriors also are poised to rake in with their 2019 move to the Chase Center in San Francisco.

4. Micky Arison, Miami Heat

Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, center, in 2013. Wilfredo Lee / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 24 years (1995-present)

Purchase price of team: $32.5 million

Current value of team: $1.8 billion

Net worth: $8.9 billion

Source of wealth: Carnival Corporation

Team record: 1089-831, .567 winning percentage

Championships: 3

Bottom line: The Miami Heat have had great stability under Micky Arison with the same number of head coaches (3) as championships won.

Landing LeBron James in 2010 always will be his biggest get even though it seemed a foregone conclusion that LeBron was going to take his talents to South Beach.

Arison and Pat Riley have instilled a culture with the Heat that many other organizations are jealous of as “The Heat Way” has been cited in many free-agent pitches.

3. Wyc Grousbeck, Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck in 2017. Charles Krupa / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 17 years (2002-present)

Purchase price of team: $360 million

Current value of team: $2.8 billion

Net worth: $400 million

Source of wealth: Venture capitalist

Team record: 766-611, .556 winning percentage

Championships: 1

Bottom line: No team has done a better job of balancing “winning right now” with “preparing for the future” quite like the Celtics under Wyc Grousbeck and general manager Danny Ainge.

Since their Big Three era that netted a championship in 2008, the Celtics had just one transition year under coach Brad Stevens and have been an Eastern Conference contender thereafter.

Under Grousbeck, the Auerbach Center opened at Boston Landing and is the Celtics’ practice facility. It includes two parquet courts, locker rooms, a players’ lounge, a sports science lab, and areas for health, nutrition and medical imaging.

2. Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in 2018. Chris Pizzello / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 19 years (2000-present)

Purchase price of team: $280 million

Current value of team: $2.3 billion

Net worth: $4.1 billion

Source of wealth: Broadcast.com

Team record: 928-614, .602 winning percentage

Championships: 1

Bottom line: As a player, you always want a coach or general manager to stick up for you to the referees, the commissioner, the fans or whomever.

But if you play for the Mavs, then you get your owner sticking up for you as evident by the NBA fining Mark Cuban over $2 million in his tenure for critical statements about the league.

Cuban doesn’t just throw money at the NBA. He takes care of his players as well and equipped the Mavs’ facilities with a new locker room that is so modern one player described it as looking “like a spaceship.”

Additionally, Cuban’s love for his players goes beyond basketball. In 2017, he lent the team plane to player J.J. Barea so he could deliver supplies to his native Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

1. Peter Holt, San Antonio Spurs

Peter Holt holds up the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2014. David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Tenure as owner: 26 years (1993-present)

Purchase price of team: $76 million

Current value of team: $1.6 billion

Net worth: $200 million

Source of wealth: HoltCat

Team record: 1424-660, .683 winning percentage

Championships: 5

Bottom line: How’s this for success? The Spurs have a winning percentage of .683 since 1993 while no other team is greater than .583.

They have 209 more regular-season wins and 42 more postseason wins than any other team, and no one has won more than their five NBA championships.

How does Peter Holt do it? By stepping back and allowing the basketball people within the Spurs to run the basketball operations. Holt retired in 2016, and his wife, Juliana, succeeded him in their majority interest partnership. They divorced in 2018, and now their son, Peter J. Holt, has taken over as chairman for his mother.

The younger Holt is taking the same leadership approach as his father, Peter M. Holt, who entrusted the duo of general manager R.C. Buford (now CEO of the Spurs) and coach Gregg Popovich to make the right decisions to benefit the team on the court.

That delegation makes him the league’s best owner.