Mark Cuban attempted to prevent the Dallas Mavericks from trading Luka Doncic, but a verbal handshake had already sealed the deal. NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Substack that Cuban urged general manager Nico Harrison not to proceed, only to find out the agreement was finalized.
Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 2, in a blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to Dallas. The Utah Jazz also received Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks as part of the multi-team trade.
According to Stein, Cuban had long envisioned Doncic staying in Dallas for his entire career, similar to Dirk Nowitzki’s 21-season tenure. However, Harrison reportedly had growing concerns about Doncic’s conditioning, leadership, and ability to stay healthy as he aged.
Harrison believed that Doncic would not improve his off-court habits, attitude toward referees, or overall commitment to team culture. These concerns ultimately led the Mavericks to trade their franchise star instead of offering him a projected five-year, $350 million supermax extension in July.
The move was met with widespread criticism, as Doncic was considered the cornerstone of the Mavericks’ future. The 25-year-old guard was averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game before being traded.
Doncic was blindsided by the move, as he had not been informed before the trade was finalized. Former NBA player Chandler Parsons revealed that Doncic had purchased a $15 million house in Dallas just a week before being sent to Los Angeles.
The trade was unprecedented, marking the first time in NBA history that two reigning All-NBA players were swapped midseason. Harrison defended the decision, stating, “I believe that defense wins championships,” emphasizing Davis’ impact on that end of the floor.
Doncic, who has been dealing with a calf strain since Christmas, could make his Lakers debut tonight against the struggling Utah Jazz. Los Angeles, currently fifth in the Western Conference, hopes his arrival will strengthen their playoff push.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks are now led by Davis and Kyrie Irving, who will need to adjust to their new roles. Dallas, sitting in eighth place, faces uncertainty as they navigate the remainder of the season without their longtime superstar.
