In a basketball season bereft of victories, Mark Cuban secured a big win at Dallas City Hall on Wednesday.

The City Council unanimously approved creating a subdistrict in the Design District that includes the Dallas Mavericks' new practice facility off Stemmons Freeway — and "potentially an arena in the long term," according to Mavs attorney Jonathan Vinson. But, he cautioned the council before its vote, "we don't know that yet."

The rezoning, which would allow for structures taller than 85 feet, also paves the way for numerous other residential and retail amenities. Vinson said there would be a trail connector from the Mavs' side of Stemmons to the Victory Park light-rail station — which, the Texas Department of Transportation pointed out in its recently completed CityMap document, is impossible to access from the freeway side.

Cuban was asking for the so-called "height bonuses" to allow for what Vinson called "a first-class development that will be a great contributor" to the Design District and an "iconic development" for the city.

Cuban first mentioned the possibility of a new arena last March, when introducing the team's new practice facility, which officially opened in October. The Mavericks' lease at the American Airlines Center, which opened in July 2001, expires in 13 years.

The Mavs owner said after the vote Wednesday that with the council's approval, "we can start to look at how it will take shape."

Cuban said last year that new residential and retail construction in Victory Park was among the reasons he was looking elsewhere. On Wednesday he said via email that "there is no rush" to leave, "but with the reduction of parking and amenities for AAC event attendees, our hand is being forced."

Later, before the Mavs tipped off against the New York Knicks Wednesday night, Cuban said that were it not for the existing lease, the team would move "sooner."

Said Cuban, pointing to recent construction that has devoured parking spots, "Some of the companies that were originally involved with the development of the AAC are some of the neighbors that are creating difficulties for us. I don't know if there are any caveats in the agreements that allow us to contest the lease. I don't expect to find anything, but we'll look at it."

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said last spring that he and Cuban have been talking about a new home for the NBA team for several years. He said Cuban regarded it as a "legacy play" and that it made sense for him to look ahead.

"You have to think decades in the future about this," Rawlings said in March. "He's wise to do that, and we need to be wise to think about it. We've got a great arena. The AAC is fabulous. I think he's pleased with it, and the Stars are pleased with it, but the what-if is always out there for sports owners and developers, and hopefully we have a city that's willing to explore that."

Cuban has said he was approached by surrounding suburbs hoping to lure the Mavericks away from Dallas. But, he said, he wanted to stay in Dallas — and did so without asking the city for a single cent in economic incentives.

Vinson said after the vote that it's not likely Cuban would have to go back to the council if he privately funded a new arena. He would have to submit design plans for a building permit, but the zoning granted Wednesday allows for a new arena.