Mark Cuban Admits Regret With Sale Of The Mavericks

The Luka Trade

On February 1, 2025, the Mavericks traded superstar guard Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The three-team deal also sent additional pieces to facilitate the trade and marked the first midseason swap of two reigning All-NBA players in NBA history. The Mavericks’ front office, led by then-GM Nico Harrison, defended the deal by emphasizing the need to improve defensively, but many fans, analysts, and former Mavericks figures viewed the return—especially given Doncic's age and elite talent—as insufficient. Doncic left behind a legacy in Dallas of sustained excellence, and his midway departure to re-team with LeBron James in Los Angeles stunned the league.

The aftermath in Dallas has been difficult. The Mavericks struggled on the court, starting the 2025-26 season poorly and ultimately missing the playoffs again, marking multiple seasons outside meaningful contention since the trade. The fallout contributed to Harrison’s dismissal as GM in November 2025 amid mounting fan discontent and organizational turmoil. Davis’s tenure in Dallas was short-lived—he played only 29 games before being moved again—leaving the Mavericks without a clear star and deep into a rebuild centered around young talent like their 2025 first-overall draft pick. The franchise has also sought to mend relationships with its historic figures, including reaching out to Dirk Nowitzki, reflecting how much the deal disrupted Dallas’s identity and long-term plans.

Through it all, Cuban has remained frustrated and powerless to do anything as the team he proudly won an NBA title with has deteriorated before his very eyes.