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Mark Cuban Calls Luka Dončić Trade A ‘Mistake’ For Dallas Mavericks One Year Later

Grant AfsethGrant Afseth
NBA: Mark Cuban embraces Luka Dončić after the game at American Airlines Center as the Los Angeles Lakers face the Dallas Mavericks
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

It has been one year since the trade that reshaped the Dallas Mavericks and sent shockwaves across the NBA, moving Luka Dončić from Dallas to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that stunned the league and fractured the organization’s identity.

The aftershocks of that decision are still being felt. On the anniversary of the trade, longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein revisited the moment that included candid reflections from former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban—remarks that underscored just how divided the franchise was when the deal was finalized.

The Lakers enter this week 29–19, sixth in the Western Conference. The Mavericks are 19–30, sitting outside the West’s top 10 and facing an uphill climb to remain relevant in the Play-In race.

Mark Cuban Calls Luka Dončić Trade a Mistake

Cuban did not hedge his words when describing how he views the trade a year later.

“It was a mistake and I wish they would have spoken to me first,” Cuban said. “I’m happy for Luka. And I’m happy for Mavs fans that we’ve got [Cooper Flagg], even though I recognize that we all still miss Luka.

“The people responsible for that [deal] are for the most part gone, which I think was necessary.”

Cuban’s comments come as Dončić continues to thrive in Los Angeles. The Lakers are 29–19 and sixth in the Western Conference, with Dončić averaging 33.6 points, 8.8 assists and 8.0 rebounds in 40 games as the centerpiece of a team firmly in the playoff picture.

How the Luka Dončić Trade Happened Without Mark Cuban’s Approval

Cuban told Stein that he was attending a conference in Florida when he received a text from then-general manager Nico Harrison, asking him to call immediately.

“His words were: ‘Of all the calls, this one was the hardest to make MC,’” Cuban said. “And that’s when I said: ‘Wait. So you’re saying it’s done?’ And the rest is history.”

Cuban has said Harrison was able to complete the trade after receiving approval from new majority owner Patrick Dumont. Cuban sold his controlling stake in the franchise to Las Vegas billionaire Miriam Adelson, Dumont’s mother-in-law, in late 2023 and believed he would continue to oversee basketball operations. That expectation did not materialize, leaving Cuban outside the decision-making loop on the most consequential move in franchise history.

Dallas Mavericks Fallout and Nico Harrison’s Exit

The reaction in Dallas was immediate and severe. Trading a franchise cornerstone in his prime strained the relationship between the organization and its fan base, creating tension that lingered throughout the 2024–25 season and into the current campaign.

Harrison was fired nine months after executing the trade, a move Cuban has suggested was unavoidable given the backlash and the team’s lack of traction in the standings.

“That’s the risk you take when you trade the face of your franchise during his prime years,” Cuban has said previously, pointing to the damage done to organizational trust.

Cooper Flagg’s Production Shapes the Post-Dončić Era

With Harrison out, Cuban has returned to the fold as an adviser to Dumont as the Mavericks attempt to define their future without Dončić.

Dallas won the draft lottery and selected Cooper Flagg, whose immediate production has helped steady a team still searching for identity. Through 45 games, Flagg is averaging 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while playing 34.0 minutes per night.

The Mavericks remain 11th in the Western Conference, but Flagg’s durability and two-way impact have provided a tangible foundation during a transitional season. Cuban has been careful not to frame Flagg as a replacement for Dončić, acknowledging that the loss still resonates throughout the fan base even as the rookie’s emergence has reshaped expectations.

A year later, the trade remains a defining moment across the league—a reminder of the consequences that can follow when a generational star is moved without full alignment at the top of an organization.

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Tags :Cooper FlaggDallas MavericksLos Angeles LakersLuka DončićMark CubanNBANBA NewsNBA tradesNico Harrison
Grant Afseth

Grant Afseth

Senior Writer
Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.
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