• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 19, 2025

Mark Cuban: Mavs Should Have Gotten a ‘Better Deal’ on Luka Trade

The Mavs’ minority owner said the team should have gotten more back for Dončić and handled the communication better.

Jan 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Mark Cuban looks on during the second quarter between the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Mark Cuban wishes the Mavericks got more for trading Luka Dončić. 

In his most expansive comments since the Mavericks stunningly traded away their franchise player for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick on Feb. 2, the team’s former majority owner sat down with WFAA, Dallas’s local ABC station, on Thursday to discuss the state of the team

Cuban still owns less than 30% of the franchise after selling his majority stake to Miriam Adelson in 2023 for $3.5 billion and previously told Front Office Sports he was alerted of the trade shortly before it happened. The Lakers were the only team the Mavericks directly negotiated with for Dončić and Cuban recently mused about his disappointment in a discussion with Bill Gates without directly addressing it. 

“If the Mavs are gonna trade Luka that’s one thing,” Cuban told WFAA. “Just get a better deal. No disrespect to Anthony Davis. I still firmly believe if we had got four unprotected [first-round draft picks] and Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would be a different conversation.”

So far, the trade has been a disaster for the Mavericks. Davis got injured during his first game with the team and hasn’t played since. Star guard Kyrie Irving’s season ended Monday with a torn left ACL. General manager Nico Harrison said at the time of the trade that the deal was done to improve the team’s title odds in the near future. 

As of Friday, Dallas is currently 32–31 and has lost three games in a row. The Mavericks are 10th in the Western Conference standings, which is the final spot for the play-in tournament. 

Cuban declined to say whether Dončić would’ve been traded if he was still the team’s majority owner. 

“It doesn’t even matter,” he said. 

He compared Dončić’s departure to when Steve Nash left the Mavericks in free agency for Phoenix in 2004 and became a two-time MVP for the Suns after Cuban failed to match the Suns’ offer. “But there wasn’t social media back then,” Cuban said.

Harrison has said the reason for trading Dončić was to improve the team’s culture while Patrick Dumont, Adelson’s son-in-law and the team’s governor, alluded to his work ethic. In addition to the lack of return, Cuban’s other big problem with the trade has been the messaging. 

“I think the biggest challenge the Mavs have right now is there’s nobody outgoing to communicate,” Cuban said. “And it’s not so much what you do but how you communicate and why you do what you do.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Valkyries Debut Season Sets Stage for Free-Agent Buzz

The Valkyries were eliminated in the first round on Wednesday.
Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.

Silver: My Comments About Basketball Highlights Were ‘Misconstrued’

The NBA commissioner spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned in summit.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Rayan Rupert (21) shoots a jump shot during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) at Moda Center.

Trail Blazers Sale and Ownership Group Finalized, Now Awaiting NBA Approval

Dundon’s ownership group also includes the founders of Panda Express.
Valkyries
September 15, 2025

Valkyries Will Try to Remake Ballhalla 50 Miles Away

Golden State will try to stave off elimination in an unfamiliar environment.
September 15, 2025

Warriors $75M Pitch Fails to Sway Kuminga As Season Looms

Kuminga and his representatives want a long-term deal.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) runs to first base during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
September 12, 2025

The $339 Million Mets Are in Jeopardy of Missing the Playoffs

The Mets’ wild-card lead is 1.5 games with 15 remaining in the regular season.
Sep 10, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards (8) fights to keep the ball in-bounds during the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Mohegan Sun Arena.
September 12, 2025

Connecticut AG Demands Documents From WNBA About Sun Sale Process

The WNBA reportedly prefers to move the team to Houston.
Mar 3, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.
September 11, 2025

Hornets Cancel Sports Betting Night Vs. Heat Over Terry Rozier Tie-In

Terry Rozier is under federal investigation for point-shaving in a 2023 game when he was on the Hornets.
May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
September 11, 2025

Clippers Minority Owner Allegedly Invested in Aspiration to Pay Kawhi

Minority investor Dennis Wong allegedly invested in Aspiration as well.