Former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban expressed deep regret and pain watching Luka Doncic excel with the Los Angeles Lakers this NBA season.

The trade that sent Doncic from Dallas to Los Angeles, widely criticized as one of the worst in NBA history, still weighs heavily on Cuban, who shared these sentiments during an appearance on the Stephen A. Smith Show. 

Cuban conveyed his happiness for Luka as a person but was candid about how emotionally difficult it is to see him thrive for another team, especially given the Mavericks’ disappointing 3-7 start post-trade.​

The Trade Fallout and Front Office Turmoil

The trade, orchestrated after Cuban relinquished majority ownership, was driven primarily by Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and based on concerns about Doncic’s defense and conditioning.

Cuban revealed he had envisioned a role that would have prevented such a transaction, but after losing operational control, he was sidelined during the decision-making process.

The Mavericks front office has since been criticized for mismanagement and ego-driven decisions, which some believe have led to the team’s struggles and alienation of fans. The fallout from one of the league’s most shocking trades continues to dominate conversations among analysts and fans alike.​

Luka’s Stellar Lakers Start Adds Injury to Insult

Luka Doncic has burst out to a historic start in Los Angeles, posting spectacular numbers, averaging roughly 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists per game, leading the Lakers to a strong 7-3 record even without LeBron James for parts of the season.

Cuban acknowledged the bittersweet nature of these stats, praising Luka as a “special human being” while admitting it is “painful” to witness such dominance for a rival team.

The juxtaposition between Doncic’s Lakers success and the Mavericks’ struggles makes the trade more stinging, underscoring the emotional impact on Cuban and the Dallas fanbase as the season unfolds.