Mark Cuban, the former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, recently shared his insights regarding the controversial trade of Luka Doncic. Cuban, who retained a 27.7 percent stake in the team after selling the majority in 2024, commented on the trade for the first time, aligning himself with the disgruntled Dallas fans who are unhappy with the deal. He compared the situation to when Steve Nash left the Mavericks, emphasizing the need for better negotiations.
"Just get a better deal. No disrespect to Anthony Davis, but I still firmly believe if we had gotten four unprotected No. 1s and Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would be a different conversation." – Mark Cuban
Cuban discussed the Mavericks' current challenges, pointing out that the team lacks an outgoing leader to effectively communicate and unify the players. He noted that Dallas is currently positioned 10th in the Western Conference, highlighting the team's struggle to regain its former glory. Despite these setbacks, Cuban reminded fans that the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals and won a championship in recent memory.
The team's recent trade decisions have also drawn significant attention. The Mavericks acquired Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Doncic. Cuban revealed that doubts about Doncic's interest in re-signing as a free agent played a role in the decision to trade him.
"If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that's one thing," – Mark Cuban
Adding to the team's challenges, Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending ACL tear after playing a league-high number of minutes over a 30-day stretch. This injury further complicates the Mavericks' push for success this season.
Cuban refrained from stating whether he would have personally traded Doncic but did criticize the value received in return. He noted that when Kevin Durant was acquired by the Phoenix Suns, the cost included Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected future first-round picks, and a pick swap in 2028. This comparison underscores his belief that a more advantageous deal could have been negotiated for Doncic.
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