Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks
Mar 17, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban yells at referee Derrick Stafford (9) during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won the game 116-74. USA TODAY Sports / John Geliebter

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is convinced that his franchise would be a top team in the Eastern Conference as opposed to a lottery team in the taxing West. The Mavs finished the 2016-17 season with a 33-49 record, their first losing campaign since the 1999-2000 season.

In recent years, the West has been dominated by the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. While teams such as the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets loaded up this offseason, the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers have been consistent playoff teams in recent years. Clearly, the deck is stacked against Cuban's Mavericks.

On Sunday, Cuban joined the commentary team during his team's win over the Phoenx Suns in the Las Vegas Summer League. He stressed that the team would be heading in different direction if not for the stiff competition faced in the Western Conference.

"We're rebuilding. Right? There's no question about it. If we were in the East, we would not be rebuilding. We'd be handling things completely different. I think I'm going to kidnap (NBA commissioner) Adam Silver and not let him out until he moves us to the Eastern Conference," said Cuban during the game, via ESPN.

Dallas Mavericks expected to return to the lottery next year

The Mavs have missed the playoffs only twice n the last 17 seasons and could potentially return to the lottery next year. "Given where we are, given where the Warriors are and what's happening in the Western Conference, it kind of sealed what we have to do," said Cuban, who does not expect his team to contend for a championship next season.

As pointed out by ESPN's Tim McMahon, the "Mavs have been mostly spectators during this free-agency period," aside from re-signing Nowitzki and acquiring Josh McRoberts via trade. They will now look to re-sign Restricted Free Agent Nerlens Noel. Though rival suitors can make maximum-level offers for Noel, the Mavs have the right to match and any and all offer sheets.

Dallas drafted promising point guard Dennis Smith Jr. with the No. 9 pick in last month's NBA Draft. With the addition of Smith, the Mavs have now accumulated a promising young core that also features Nerlens Noel, Harrison Barnes, Yogi Ferrell and Seth Curry. The team also comprises a few established veterans such as franchise star Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews and Devin Harris.