Cuban: Mavs should've gotten more in Doncic trade

Former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban commented on the Luka Doncic trade, insisting the franchise should have gotten a bigger return for the five-time All-Star.

"If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that's one thing," Cuban told WFAA. "Just get a better deal. No disrespect to Anthony Davis. I still firmly believe if we had gotten four unprotected No. 1s and Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would be a different conversation."

Cuban added that he was upset with the trade, which saw Doncic join the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis, Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. He refused to respond when asked if he would have traded Doncic.

Cuban, one of the most passionate and recognizable team owners in professional sports, sold majority ownership of the Mavericks to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont in 2023. Dallas has reached the Finals three times since Cuban joined the ownership group in 2000, winning a title in 2011.

Cuban attended the first contest between the Mavericks and Lakers since the trade in late February, shaking hands with Doncic's father and agent.

The 66-year-old also believes Dallas needs someone to replace him as the franchise's spokesperson.

"I think the biggest challenge that the Mavs have right now is there's nobody who's really outgoing to communicate. It's not so much what you do, it's how you communicate why you do what you do - and that's their challenge without me in front."

Mavericks president of basketball operations Nico Harrison explained the rationale for the trade in February, saying the deal was made to get ahead of offseason contract negotiations.

Dallas is 6-8 since the Doncic trade, while the Lakers are 8-2 in games the 26-year-old has played in.