The city of Dallas is once again mourning inexplicable decisions by the owners of its two most influential franchises, the Mavericks and the Cowboys. Moves involving Luka Doncic and Micah Parsons have left fans stunned, shaking their heads at what appears to be self-sabotage by organizations that define the city’s sports identity.
When the Mavericks traded Doncic earlier this year, in February 2025, the reaction was disbelief. Supporters could not fathom why the team would part with its best player, a star who had shown the drive, skill and determination to lead Dallas back to an NBA championship.
Now, Jerry Jones has seized the spotlight with the Cowboys. The owner and general manager decided he no longer wanted to deal with the franchise’s best player, Micah Parsons. Without hesitation, he sent him to the Green Bay Packers.
Exasperated by the drawn-out contract negotiations with Parsons and, perhaps, eager to reassert his authority-reminding everyone that he, not the player, calls the shots, Jones traded him to one of Dallas’ most historic rivals.
In doing so, he stripped the team of its defensive cornerstone and, with it, any realistic shot at postseason contention. The return package was underwhelming: Kenny Clark, a nearly 30-year-old defensive lineman whose production has never matched Parsons’, plus two first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027.
Parsons and Doncic raise title hopes for their new teams
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Green Bay Packers immediately boosted their championship prospects after acquiring Doncic and Parsons.
For instance, the mere announcement of Parsons joining Green Bay improved the Packers’ odds by +1200 at major sportsbooks. Meanwhile, the Lakers pursued Doncic as both a short-term superstar and a long-term successor to LeBron James, setting the foundation for their next era.
The Luka Doncic trade
Doncic’s impact is even greater simply because of basketball’s structure. He spends on average 73% of the game on the court, handling the ball, orchestrating the offense and elevating teammates. By contrast, Parsons plays a crucial but less dominant role, lining up with 10 others on defense.
Doncic’s youth, combined with the roster the Lakers are assembling around him, makes the move highly effective. For Dallas, however, it was devastating. The Mavericks do have rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, but he remains a prospect. Doncic was already a proven superstar.
What Parsons’ departure means
Even before Parsons’ exit, the Cowboys were projected as mediocre at best. Their rushing attack lacks punch, leaving them vulnerable and predictable.
Yes, they feature elite wideout CeeDee Lamb and recently added George Pickens to provide depth, but defenses will anticipate a pass-heavy scheme. Dak Prescott continues to post solid regular seasons but is prone to injuries. Even if he stays healthy, the defense-now without Parsons, faces serious limitations.
Dallas was struggling before. Now, without its defensive leader, expectations have cratered. Few believe the Cowboys can notch more than five wins this season.
Looking ahead, management can only hope to strike gold in the next drafts. Otherwise, this will be remembered as another dismal chapter in the Cowboys’ long list of questionable decisions.
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