Amidst growing speculation following the blockbuster trade of Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks owners have strongly denied any intentions of relocating the team.
The trade, which saw Dončić and others head to the Los Angeles Lakers, fueled theories suggesting that the Mavericks’ new owners, the Adelson family, might be looking to move the franchise. The Adelsons, who made their fortune in the gambling industry through ownership of the Sands Casino, have been linked to potential relocation plans to Las Vegas.
A social media essay by Christopher Kratovil posited that the Adelsons’ lack of success in lobbying for legalized sports betting in Texas might push them to relocate the team to a more gambling-friendly market, like Las Vegas. This theory suggests that the Adelsons could use the threat of a move to Las Vegas as leverage to pass a sports betting bill in Texas.
However, the Mavericks’ new ownership group was quick to address these rumors. In response to growing speculation, the Adelson and Dumont families issued a statement through Marc Stein, which was shared on social media by Tim Cato. The statement firmly rejected the idea of moving the Mavericks, stating: “The Adelson and Dumont Families have already started and are committed to investing and building in Dallas/Ft. Worth. The families have absolutely no plans to move the team out of North Texas.”
The speculation regarding the move grew after the Mavericks’ controversial decision to trade Dončić, a franchise cornerstone, in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The trade, one of the most unexpected in NBA history, sent shockwaves through the basketball community. Fans voiced their frustration on social media, with the Mavericks losing 700,000 Instagram followers, and protests erupted at the American Airlines Center.
Despite the backlash, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison defended the move, stating, “I believe that defense wins championships.” The trade has been criticized, especially since Dončić had just purchased a $15 million house in Dallas a week before the deal.
