The NBA world is still reeling from what might be its most shocking trade ever: Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis.
Dallas Mavericks fans are furious. Some have even been thrown out of games for screaming at team management to resign.
It’s easy to see why. The Mavs just traded away a 25-year-old superstar who’s made the All-NBA First Team five times and led them to the Finals last year. In return, they got an older, often-injured Davis.
“If you don’t wanna pay Luka, just sell the team,” NBA legend Jalen Rose said bluntly on his show yesterday. He’s not alone in thinking money was behind the move.
Doncic was due for a massive payday this summer – we’re talking about a $350 million supermax contract.
The timing is interesting. The Mavs’ ownership just changed hands in 2023, with casino executives Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont now controlling 69% of the team. Mark Cuban, who built the Mavs into champions, keeps 27% but doesn’t have final say anymore.
Here’s the weird part: Cuban actually tried to stop the trade, according to team sources.
The new owners are hinting at other reasons. Dumont talked about “having the right character” and “the right culture” in a press conference yesterday, taking what seemed like subtle shots at Doncic.
Some analysts have tried to make sense of it all. A few suggest the Mavs want to become a defensive powerhouse with Davis. Others wonder if there’s a secret plan to move the team to Las Vegas, though Dumont denies this.
“Normally, when you’re about to get traded, negative things come out about your character,” Rose pointed out. “Is he in the greatest shape? No. Does he have some off-court things that he probably needs to improve as a 25-year-old? Absolutely.”
But Rose wasn’t buying those excuses: “I love Anthony Davis. But he was the second-best player on a championship team. When Luka wins a championship, he’s going to be the best player on that team.”
The Mavericks front office has been mostly quiet, leaving fans to wonder how they could let one of the NBA’s brightest young stars slip away.
