Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban has finally opened up on the Luka Doncic trade. Cuban sat down for an interview with WFAA on Thursday, where he admitted he was upset by the trade and also stated that the Mavericks should have gotten more from the Los Angeles Lakers for Doncic.
“If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that’s one thing,” Cuban said. “Just get a better deal. No disrespect to Anthony Davis, but I still firmly believe if we had gotten four unprotected number ones and Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would be a different conversation.”
The Mavericks got Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick for Doncic. Cuban reckons some more picks would have made this an acceptable trade, but that’s doubtful.
For starters, there is almost no return that would justify trading Doncic unless you’re getting the likes of Nikola Jokic or Giannis Antetokounmpo. Davis is undoubtedly a great player, but he can’t be the best asset you’re getting for a generational talent due to his age and injury history.
Davis is 31 years old and has spent a significant period of time on the sidelines in his career. He was surprisingly healthy last season, but that was an exception to the norm.
Those with serious concerns about Davis’ health saw their fears realized right away, as he suffered an adductor injury on his Mavericks debut on Feb. 8 against the Houston Rockets. He hasn’t played since and could be shut down for the season.
Davis’ injury has led to the Mavericks suffering even more backlash for trading Doncic. Some more draft picks would have done little to ease the pain for their fans. The Lakers could also have only given up one more pick anyway, their 2031 first-rounder. The fact that they didn’t have to part with it was a shocker.
It would appear the Mavericks wanted it and more assets, but Lakers GM Rob Pelinka convinced his Mavericks counterpart, Nico Harrison, that Doncic is a big injury risk. It’s incredible that Pelinka was able to pull that off.
Cuban also reiterated in this interview that Harrison and Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont did not consult him during the trade process.
“I have not talked to Nico about it,” Cuban said. “I said hi to Nico, twice after the trade.”
Had Cuban been consulted, there is a good chance this trade would have never even gone down. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Cuban even tried to stop the Mavericks from trading Doncic, but it was too late by the time he found out.
Cuban was asked in this interview if he would have traded Doncic, and he refused to answer the question. Based on his past comments, it’s fairly clear he wouldn’t have. Cuban once joked that if he had to choose between his wife and keeping Doncic on the Mavericks, he would ask his lawyers to start prepping for divorce hearings.
It’s safe to say that Doncic would be a Maverick today had Cuban not sold his majority share to the Adelson and Dumont families in 2023. The day he made that decision might just be the darkest in the history of the franchise.
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