Mavericks Plummet, Lakers Rise in Wake of Shock Dončić Trade

The NBA season tipped off two weeks ago, but the standings already reflect the impact of last year’s blockbuster Luka Dončić trade.

The Mavericks, who sent Dončić to the Lakers in February, fell to 2–6 to start the 2025–26 season after a home loss to the Pelicans, putting the two teams in a tie for last in the Western Conference. 

On the same night, Dončić dropped 35 points to lead the Lakers to a win over Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, a game that aired nationally on ESPN. Los Angeles moved to 7–2, second in the Western Conference and just a game behind the defending champion Thunder for the best record in the NBA.

Dallas’ rough start can be attributed to a slew of injuries. Star guard Kyrie Irving is expected to miss most if not all of this season after tearing his ACL in late March. Anthony Davis, the most important piece the Mavericks received in return for Dončić, has played just five of eight games due to a calf injury.

The injury risk attributed to Davis, 32, factored into why many Mavericks supporters were left baffled by the trade. 

The Lakers have not had a clean bill of health either. Dončić has missed four games with a lower left leg contusion, while LeBron James, who turns 41 in December, has yet to make his debut for what will be an NBA record 23rd season.

Still, Dončić has been spectacular in the five games he’s played, averaging a league-best 40 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists. 

The stark divide in the standings between the two teams has driven Mavericks fans to bring back its cries for the ouster of GM Nico Harrison. During the team’s second game of the season, with the team set to fall 0–2 in a loss to the lowly Wizards at home, Mavericks fans chanted “Fire Nico!” inside the American Airlines Center. The same jeers broke out following last season’s trade, which led to several fans being removed from the arena in February. 

Mavericks fans have continued their agenda on social media. One of the notable names who has expressed his displeasure with the Dallas front office is Jason Gallagher, the producer of James’s Mind the Game podcast, whom he started with now-Lakers head coach JJ Redick. “Last in the West,” Gallagher tweeted Wednesday with a picture of Harrison. 

The sentiment has remained despite the arrival of No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who was touted as a generational talent. Dallas lucked into the No. 1 pick despite a 1.8% chance to win the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery in May. “Fortune favors the bold,” Harrison said after Dallas drafted Flagg. “So exciting things fell our way.”

But Flagg, 18, has struggled to begin his NBA career, averaging 14 points and 6 rebounds on less than 40% from the field and 30% from three. With Irving out, Flagg, the youngest player in the NBA, was the team’s starting point guard for the first seven games despite playing forward at Duke last year.

The Mavericks finished 10th in the Western Conference last season and lost in the play-in tournament to secure a spot in the draft lottery. They held the 8th seed before trading Dončić.