Dallas Mavericks NBA billionaire Mark Cuban gives advice to eventual Powerball winner

WHOEVER wins America’s Powerball jackpot will become an instant billionaire - and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has some straight-shooting advice.

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban talks to a referee during a timeout in the game with the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 12, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Mavericks won 120-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

DALLAS Mavericks owner and billionaire Mark Cuban is one of the fortunate few who knows what it’s like to go from rags to riches.

And while he might go a bit berserk on the sideline from time to time, the entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor is shrewd when it comes to his money. After all, he did sell his Internet business to Yahoo! for a cool $5.7 billion in stock to buy that NBA team.

So if you happen to win Wednesday night’s massive $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot, Cuban has provided a few helpful hints — a to-do list of sorts — and how to tell Uncle Dave and Aunt Sally, “No!

Mark Cuban on why he doesn't buy Powerball tickets: "Not even worth the time. So what if I win?"

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 13, 2016

Best part of owning a team is being able to run on the court and dog pile after a buzzer beater +letsgomavs

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 6, 2016

Here are Cuban’s free tips, via the Dallas Morning News (whose servers briefly broke after the story was published to an overwhelming online response:

* Hire a tax attorney first.

* Don’t take the lump sum. You don’t want to blow it all in one spot.

* If you weren’t happy yesterday, you won’t be happy tomorrow. It’s money. It’s not happiness.

* If you were happy yesterday, you’re going to be a lot happier tomorrow. It’s money. Life gets easier when you don’t have to worry about the bills.

* Tell all your friends and relatives no. They will ask. Tell them no. If you are close to them, you already know who needs help and what they need. Feel free to help SOME, but talk to your accountant before you do anything and remember this, no one needs 1m dollars for anything. No one needs 100k for anything. Anyone who asks is not your friend.

* You don’t become a smart investor when you win the lottery. Don’t make investments. You can put it in the bank and live comfortably. Forever. You will sleep a lot better knowing you won’t lose money.

Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks sits on the bench in front of owner Mark Cuban.

So, there it is. But those hoping to pull a Cuban and buy your own team: The average NBA team was worth just around $1 billion, according to Forbes. Though if you ignored Cuban’s advice and took the lump sum, you wouldn’t have enough to buy the average team after taxes. Maybe you could convince Michael Jordan to part with the Hornets? It couldn’t hurt to ask.

Assuming you win.

This story originally appeared on FOX Sports US

Originally published as Dallas Mavericks NBA billionaire Mark Cuban gives advice to eventual Powerball winner