The 2024-25 season was certainly one to behold.
It was a season in which the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated from start to finish. While the playoffs and the regular season provided us with some great moments, none were more shocking and stunning than the Dallas Mavericks trading their then-25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic.
In early February, the Mavericks stunned the entire sports world when they traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a massive three-team trade. It was a deal that caught everyone by surprise, especially former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Cuban has spoken about the trade multiple times in the past six months, but in a recent appearance on the DLLS Mavericks podcast, he shared this heartbreaking message to the fans.
"I'm sorry, I had to do what is best for my life and my family," said Cuban.
"You think I was going to live till 137 and just run the Mavs forever," Cuban continued. "You know, Father Time is undefeated, and so something was going to happen at some point, no matter what, and I just wanted to do it on my terms."
Mark Cuban Sold Majority Stake to Adelson Family
Cuban sold 72.3 percent of the team to the Adelson family for $3.5 million in December 2023. The NBA approved the deal in late December, and Cuban sold his majority share at the beginning of 2024.
The 67-year-old was responsible for drafting Doncic and had no intention of trading the superstar ever in his career. However, once he sold his majority stake, Cuban had no say in any basketball decision-making, as the Adelson family deferred that to Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison.
Harrison and the Mavericks didn't believe that Doncic was the type of player who could get them over the top, despite leading them to a Finals appearance in 2024.
Doncic certainly has his flaws as a basketball player, but there is no denying his skill set and ability to elevate a team and his teammates. Maverick fans were not happy with the trade, and months later, it still affects them in some way, shape or form.
The Mavericks are now led by their No. 1 overall pick in Cooper Flagg, along with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
As for the Lakers, they now possess a 26-year-old superstar who could possibly lead them to multiple titles throughout the rest of his career.
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