‘I Felt Like I Let People Down’: Mark Cuban on Luka Dončić Trade Fallout

Grant AfsethAugust 26, 2025October 21, 2025no comment

Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Mark Cuban admitted he still regrets Luka Dončić’s shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, saying he felt personally responsible for letting people down during the franchise-altering move.

“We all were hurt when Luka got traded, me as much as anyone, because I felt like I let people down by not being there,” Cuban said on the DLLS Mavs Podcast. “But, what’s done is done.”

The Mavericks dealt Dončić to Los Angeles earlier this year in a stunning decision spearheaded by general manager Nico Harrison and approved by majority owner Patrick Dumont. Cuban, who sold a controlling stake in the team to the Dumont family in late 2023, said he was not involved in the process.

Caught Off Guard by Luka Dončić Trade

The longtime owner revealed in March on the Your Mom’s House podcast that he maintained a strong relationship with Dončić and was blindsided by the trade.

“We weren’t best buddies, but I would text him all the time and DM him,” Cuban said. “I would give him all these motivational quotes, even gave him books to read and stuff to read. So we had a good relationship, got along great with his dad. I was just as dumbfounded as everybody else.”

Future Hinges on Cooper Flagg

While Cuban no longer makes final basketball decisions, he expressed optimism about the team’s future. Dallas landed the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft and selected highly touted forward Cooper Flagg.

“Coop’s the real deal. He’s not even 19 years old,” Cuban said. “He could literally, depending on science, play for the Mavs for 25 years. I’m guessing if we do well and win, those sentiments will change.”

Dončić, who averaged 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in 26 games with the Lakers, has helped lead Los Angeles to a 16-10 record since the trade. Meanwhile, Dallas has turned its attention to developing Flagg as the centerpiece of its future.

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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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