The blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles shook the NBA foundation, and the aftershocks are still rattling Dallas. As the Mavericks prepare to face their former superstar in a high-stakes NBA Cup showdown, the reality of that deal is hitting the franchise harder than ever.
One viral stat perfectly captures the widening gap between a team searching for answers and a player chasing an MVP trophy in purple and gold.
How Are Luka Doncic And The Mavs Connected This Season
The social media account Legion Hoops shared a brutal reality check on X: Doncic has the same number of 40-point performances this season as the Mavericks have wins. Legion Hoops said, “This is wild,” pointing out that both sit at just five.
This is wild.
(via @fliff) pic.twitter.com/csXDnPcCih
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 28, 2025
This disparity likely stings for Mavericks fans, especially given the emotional exit of their franchise cornerstone. Doncic admitted he was hurt and blindsided by the February move, as he had initially planned to spend his entire career in Dallas, just like his mentor, 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki. However, the Slovenian superstar has clearly moved on. He settled in as the new face of the Lakers quickly, cementing his commitment by signing a three-year, $165 million extension in August.
If Doncic still holds any bitterness about the trade, he is taking it out on the rest of the league. He currently leads the NBA in scoring, averaging 35.2 points per game to go along with 8.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists. Thanks to his production, the Lakers are tied with the Denver Nuggets for the second-best record in the Western Conference at 13-4.
The Lakers have already clinched the West Group B spot in the NBA Cup with a perfect 3-0 record heading into this matchup. This marks Doncic’s third game against his former team since the deal, and his track record in these revenge games is terrifying for Dallas. He recorded a triple-double in the first meeting and dropped 45 points during his return to Dallas last April.
Those lottery night celebrations feel like a distant memory in Dallas. Despite winning the No. 1 pick and selecting Cooper Flagg, the good vibes have evaporated during a brutal 5-14 start that has them sitting 14th in the West. Flagg opened the season running the point but struggled to adapt, eventually moving back to the wing after looking overwhelmed. The rookie is averaging 15.9 points but shooting just 26.1% from deep with a negative plus/minus rating.
wanted to list a few Dallas Mavericks things I was thankful for on Bleacher Report
this was all i could muster up unfortunately pic.twitter.com/Sm9jYYV2dB
— Slightly Biased (@BiasedSlightly) November 28, 2025
To make matters worse, the return package for Doncic has yet to pay dividends. Anthony Davis has missed significant time with a calf strain, though he is expected to suit up against his current team’s former star. Meanwhile, veteran additions Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell haven’t made the expected impact. These struggles have fueled rumors that the front office might blow it up this summer, potentially trading Davis or Kyrie Irving once he returns to the court.
Perhaps the lone bright spot from the blockbuster deal is Max Christie. The young wing looks like a solid long-term fit next to Flagg, averaging 12.8 points per game while ranking among the league’s elite shooters at 47.6% from three-point range on 5.5 attempts per game. Still, as long as Doncic continues to dominate in Los Angeles, patience in Dallas will likely remain in short supply.
