Former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban reportedly made a last-minute attempt to prevent the trade of Luka Doncic, according to The Stein Line Substack. Cuban is said to have reached out to team general manager Nico Harrison in an effort to halt the deal.
However, by the time Cuban became aware of the trade, it was already too late to intervene. Reports suggest that the team’s governors did not consult him before making the decision.
Since the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers, Cuban has distanced himself from responsibility in interviews. Meanwhile, the trade has sparked widespread outrage among fans, leading to protests outside the team’s arena.
While Cuban no longer holds a majority stake in the team, he still considers himself a fan. The franchise is now controlled by the Dumont and Adelson families, with Cuban retaining a minority ownership role.
Nico Harrison Took a Huge Risk Trading Luka Doncic
The success or failure of Harrison’s tenure with the Mavericks now hinges on the outcome of this bold trade. The move has major implications—Harrison could either cement his reputation as one of the NBA’s top general managers or find himself out of a job in the coming years.
In exchange for Doncic, the Mavericks acquired Anthony Davis, widely regarded as one of the league’s elite defenders. Davis wasted no time making an impact, delivering a double-double in a matchup against the Houston Rockets before exiting due to an injury.
As for Doncic, he has yet to make his debut for the Lakers, though reports indicate he could take the floor Monday against the Utah Jazz. The trade’s full impact remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Mark Cuban will be watching closely.
