Mark Cuban opened up on the Luka Doncic trade and his sale of the Mavericks, saying he doesn’t regret selling but regrets how he did it. Cuban insists Doncic would still be in Dallas if he remained in control.
Credit: AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez
The 2024-25 NBA season was unforgettable— and for Dallas Mavericks fans, unforgettable often meant painful.
While Oklahoma City stormed through the league, the most shocking development was the blockbuster that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The trade, finalized in early February, stunned the basketball world. The 26-year-old superstar, seen by many as Dirk Nowitzki’s heir, was suddenly gone in a three-team deal that brought Anthony Davis to Dallas. Months later, the aftershocks are still being felt.
Former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who drafted Doncic and often swore he would never trade him, has spoken several times about the deal. In a recent appearance on the DLLS Mavs podcast, Cuban delivered one of his most candid reflections yet.
“I’m sorry, I had to do what is best for my life and my family,” Cuban said.
“You think I was going to live till 137 and just run the Mavs forever? Father Time is undefeated, and so something was going to happen at some point. I just wanted to do it on my terms.”
A painful goodbye
Cuban sold a 72.3% majority stake of the Mavericks to Miriam Adelson and her family for $3.5 billion in December 2023, with Patrick Dumont assuming the role of team governor. Although Cuban retained a 27% share, he no longer has a say in basketball operations, which are overseen by general manager Nico Harrison.
The sale created the conditions for the Doncic trade — something Cuban insists he would never have allowed.
“If I was still in charge, Luka is still a Maverick,” Cuban said bluntly.
For Dallas fans, Doncic wasn’t just a star. He was the literal torchbearer, having spent his rookie year alongside Nowitzki in his farewell season. Trading him was more than a basketball decision; it was a cultural rupture.
Cuban acknowledges how deeply the move cut into the fanbase.
“I understand the connection. That’s why the blowback was so big — and it’s still coming.”
Despite his defense of selling, Cuban admitted to one mistake in the process.
“I don’t regret selling the team. I regret how I did it,” he said. “I would have put it out to bid.”
Cuban has since embraced the Mavericks’ new cornerstone, Cooper Flagg, calling the No. 1 overall pick the “real deal.” Still, he made it clear that even the chance to draft Flagg wouldn’t have justified moving Doncic if he were in charge.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks — now led by Flagg, Davis, and Kyrie Irving — are searching for a new arena and entertainment district, part of the Adelson family’s long-term vision for the franchise.
Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.