Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

“If I Had Any Influence…”- Mark Cuban Opens Up About Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Trade

Mark Cuban confirmed that he didn't have any involvement in Doncic move to the Lakers.

Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban made a bold claim about the blockbuster trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Notably, before this year’s trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks left the NBA fraternity stunned by trading their superstar Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for their big man Anthony Davis.

Cuban appeared on the Your Mom’s House podcast, where he confirmed that he didn’t have any involvement in Doncic move to the Lakers. He stated that if he still had influence over the franchise, the trade would never have happened.

“If I had any influence, the trade wouldn’t happen. I was just as dumbfounded as everybody else. After I sold the Mavericks, the new owner Patrick Dumont decided that ‘OK, in Nico we trust.’ So here we are,” said Cuban of the trade.

Mark Cuban: "If I had any influence, the trade wouldn't happen. I was just as dumbfounded as everybody else. After I sold the Mavericks, the new owner Patrick Dumont decided that 'Ok, in Nico we trust.' So, here we are."

Via Reddit pic.twitter.com/0pcMwJw6UD
— Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) March 21, 2025

Notably, Cuban bought the franchise in 2000 and was a majority owner till 2023. This isn’t the first time that he spoke about the trade. Earlier there were reports that Cuban had requested GM Nico Harrison to not go ahead with the move. However, by that time the deal was already finalized.

Not only this, but recently, Cuban also criticized the Mavericks acquiring Anthony Davis and said that if the Mavericks had to swap a player like Doncic, they should have come up with a better deal.

Also Read: “For him to go undrafted is unbelievable” – Luka Doncic makes huge statement on fellow Lakers teammate

“I Was Just As Dumbfounded as Everybody Else”- Mark Cuban on the Luka Doncic Trade

Cuban was the one who drafted Luka Doncic to the Mavericks and has shared a deep affection with him. Speaking about the trade, he revealed that he was as dumbfounded as everyone when he found out about the move.

Talking about the bond he shared with Luka, Mark said, “With Luka, we weren’t best buddies, but I would text him all the time and DM him, and I would give him all these motivational quotes.” He added, “I even gave him books and stuff to read. We had a good relationship and got along great with his dad [Sasa Doncic]. I mean, I was just as dumbfounded as everybody else.”

Also Read: “It Wasn’t Fair” – Luka Doncic Points Out on Poor Officiating During Lakers’ Loss to Nets

The Lakers have been thriving ever since they acquired the 26-year-old. He, along with LeBron James, pushed the Lakers to the number 3 spot in the West. The five-time NBA All-Star has had a few underwhelming initial performances, but he has been in red-hot form off late. With him in the lineup, the Lakers are 11-5, where the Slovenian is averaging 26.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game.

Anthony Davis

Dallas Mavericks

Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Doncic

Mark Cuban

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.