Although it occurred two months ago, Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers continues to make waves in the Dallas Mavericks’ organization. Former team owner Mark Cuban has now addressed the controversy, taking a subtle jab at the NBA’s policies on team ownership stakes.
On February 2, the Mavericks stunned the basketball world by announcing they had traded Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick in the 2029 NBA Draft.
The trade sparked widespread backlash toward the team’s front office, including Cuban himself. The businessman and former owner has attempted to distance himself from the controversial decision but recently reiterated that he has minimal influence over current management.
Cuban: The least guilty party
In an interview with a Dallas radio station, Cuban stated, “If I had any influence, the trade wouldn’t have happened.” While the businessman remains a regular at Mavericks games and retains a minority stake in the team, he no longer has executive decision-making authority.
In November 2023, Cuban sold the majority of his stake in the Mavericks to Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family. Initially, the new owners assured him he would retain control over basketball operations, but that arrangement never materialized.
According to Cuban, the NBA prevented him from maintaining his operational role in the team as part of the sale agreement. The fractured deal and Doncic’s trade have created significant friction between Cuban and the new front office, led by general manager Nico Harrison and team governor Patrick Dumont.
The real reasons behind Doncic’s trade
While the front office publicly claimed the trade was aimed at ensuring the team’s future as a title contender, some analysts have questioned this narrative. Experts highlighted that Doncic was eligible for a supermax contract starting in the summer and had an opt-out clause by the end of the 2025-2026 season.
These factors, according to analysts, pushed Harrison and Dumont to trade Doncic. To make matters worse, Anthony Davis has been largely absent since the trade due to an injury sustained just days after joining the Mavericks.
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