The Aftermath of the Doncic Trade

Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban has opened up about the controversial trade of superstar Luka Doncic. While the trade occurred earlier this year, the decision—which ultimately led to the firing of general manager Nico Harrison—remains a major point of contention.

On February 1, 2025, Harrison informed Cuban of a deal to send Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. In exchange, the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick.

Cuban's Reaction to the Deal

Upon receiving the news, Cuban contacted team governor Patrick Dumont. According to Cuban, Dumont had been provided with inaccurate information to justify the trade. "I’m like, That’s not true. This is a mistake. But nothing I can do," Cuban stated, noting he was left to manage the public perception of the move.

Following the trade, reports emerged suggesting that Doncic’s conditioning and off-court habits, such as drinking beer and smoking hookah, influenced the decision. Cuban dismissed these concerns, stating, "I don’t care if he’s overweight, he’s gonna give you 30, 10 and 10 and win the game. That’s what made Luka special."

Assigning Responsibility

Cuban explicitly cleared Michael Finley of involvement in the decision. Instead, he pointed toward Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, citing Kidd’s long-standing relationship with Anthony Davis as a factor.

Cuban expressed his frustration regarding the internal dynamics, noting that he believed there was animosity between Harrison and Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy. Regarding the leadership's role, Cuban remarked, "That doesn’t justify it for our coach and our general manager to stand up and trade our best player."

Doncic's Performance and Ownership Regrets

Luka Doncic is currently enjoying an MVP-caliber season with the Lakers, averaging 33.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. His team is currently the third seed in the Western Conference, a performance level Cuban insists should never have been traded away.

Reflecting on his role as an owner, Cuban shared his disappointment regarding the sale of the team. "I don’t regret selling. I regret who I sold to," he said. "I made a lot of mistakes in the process, and I’ll leave it at that."