Mar 16, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Mark Cuban reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Lakers' Luka Doncic Trade Continues to Haunt Mark Cuban

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 3:53 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are very happy that they were happy to get Luka Doncic in a trade. It is a trade that will set them up for the next ten years to be successful.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about the trade is how little the Lakers had to put in the trade to get him. They only had to include one first-round pick along with Anthony Davis and Max Christie.

The Lakers are very happy to have Doncic. Mavericks fans, meanwhile, are still extremely angry that the team decided to trade the face of their franchise.

Mark Cuban, the former Mavericks owner, is still not happy that the deal went through. It's a trade that keeps haunting him as time goes on.

Cuban mentioned recently that the trade would not have happened if he was still in control of the team.

Mark Cuban on the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade:

“If I had any influence, the trade wouldn't happen… After I sold the Mavericks, the new owner Patrick Dumont decided that 'Ok, in Nico we trust.' So, here we are.”

(h/t @KirkSeriousFace) pic.twitter.com/Bfk4Qlfpze
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 21, 2025

When he was the principal owner, Cuban was a massive fan of Doncic. He thought that Doncic could be the face of the franchise for the next 15 years after Dirk Nowitzki retired.

Instead, he is in Los Angeles and will be the face of their franchise for the next 15 years. Once LeBron James retires, Doncic becomes the guy to build the franchise around.

That's part of the reason why Los Angeles wanted to trade for him in the first place. It's still something that makes Cuban's blood boil, as it does for Mavs fans.

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The Lakers are already seeing returns from getting Doncic on the roster. He has already had a couple of big games for Los Angeles.

Now that LeBron James is hurt, Doncic has had to carry the load offensively. Unfortunately, he has been dealing with an injury of his own, so he has missed some games as well.

The Lakers will continue to fight for the second spot in the Western Conference standings. They sit a game and a half behind the Rockets for that spot and are currently in fourth.

Since coming to the Lakers, Doncic is averaging 26.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and eight assists per game.

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For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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