Mark Cuban Defends Mavericks’ Luka Dončić Trade Amid Fan Backlash

Mark Cuban Backs Nico Harrison Despite Luka Dončić Trade Fallout

Five months after the Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA by trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, the decision remains a hot topic. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who famously declared “defense wins championships” as justification for the deal, has faced intense criticism—especially after a disappointing season that saw Kyrie Irving suffer a torn ACL and the team miss the playoffs.

Fans voiced their frustration during Dončić’s emotional return to Dallas, with loud “Fire Nico” chants echoing through the arena. However, the Mavericks’ fortunes took a turn when they landed the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery, selecting generational talent Cooper Flagg.

Despite the backlash, Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban remains confident in Harrison’s leadership.

Cuban Compares Dončić Trade to Steve Nash Departure

In a recent interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Cuban acknowledged fan anger but drew parallels to another painful franchise moment—letting Steve Nash walk in 2004.

“Trades are trades,” Cuban said. “I let Steve Nash go, and the whole town hated my ass for a long time. [Nash] goes and wins two MVPs, and I got nothing back for him. Not every decision is one everyone’s going to agree with.”

Nash’s departure haunted Dallas for years, as he won back-to-back MVPs with the Phoenix Suns while the Mavericks struggled to replace him. This time, however, Dallas at least received Anthony Davis in the Dončić deal—though trading a 25-year-old superstar for a 31-year-old Davis raised eyebrows.

Did the New CBA Force the Mavericks’ Hand?

Harrison hinted that contract concerns under the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) played a role in trading Dončić. Reports suggested Dallas was hesitant to offer the Slovenian star his $345 million supermax extension, despite Dončić publicly stating he planned to sign it.

Cuban pointed to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s strategy as a model, praising their decision to lock in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren before salary cap spikes.

“You saw what OKC did, which was smart,” Cuban said. “They signed all those guys now because the cap is the lowest it’s going to be for a while.”

However, critics argue that Harrison’s moves—extending role players like Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington—don’t compare to OKC’s long-term vision.

Cooper Flagg: The Silver Lining?

Landing Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick has given Mavericks fans hope, but Cuban admitted it was pure luck—not Harrison’s doing.

“We’re going to keep having more and more room because those contracts are locked in,” Cuban said, defending the team’s financial strategy.

Still, many fans wonder: Was trading a proven superstar in Dončić worth a rebuild centered around Flagg?

Final Verdict: Cuban’s Changing Stance

Initially, Cuban admitted he “wouldn’t have traded Dončić,” but his tone has shifted since February. With Flagg now in the fold, the Mavericks owner is publicly backing Harrison—even if fans aren’t convinced.

Will time prove Cuban right, or will this trade haunt Dallas like Nash’s departure did?